Anooshavan Avedian

Additional Name(s): انوشاوان آودیان

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Originally rejected; later accepted

Sentence: 10 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: September/18/2023

Date of Sentencing: April/11/2022

Date of Release: September//2024

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Possession of Religious Materials Praying Religious Activity

Nature of Charges: Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials

Anooshavan Avedian

Extra Bio Info:

Anooshavan Avedian was imprisoned for his religious activity. 

On August 21, 2020, agents with the Ministry of Intelligence Service arrested Avedian, a house church leader, after raiding a gathering in Narmak where several Christians had gathered to conduct religious activities. Among those gathered included Christian converts. Agents also confiscated Bibles and electronics. 

On September 23, 2020, Avedian was released after posting bail for one billion tomans.

On April 11, 2022, the 26th Branch of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran reportedly sentenced Avedian to 10 years in prison for “propaganda activity against the system” and “acting against the country’s security through organization and leadership of an Evangelical Christian house-church." Article 18 reports that the judge found Avedian guilty of conducting activities "contrary to and disturbing to the holy religion of Islam."

In May 2022, it was reported that an appeals court had upheld Avedian's sentence.

In August 2022, it was reported that the Supreme Court had upheld Avedian's sentence.

On September 18, 2023, Avedian handed himself over to authorities to begin serving his sentence.

On September 24, 2024, Branch 21 of the Appeal Court of Tehran accepted Avedian’s appeal, acquitting him of all charges and releasing him from Evin Prison.

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