Additional Name(s): Ataollah Zafar, عطاالله ظفر

Gender: Male

Current Location: Evin Prison

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Health Concerns: Heart disease, elderly

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Appeal: Reduced to 2 Years' Imprisonment

Sentence: Originally 5 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: May/1/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Preserving Religious Sites & Sacred Lands Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization

Atollah Zafar

Extra Bio Info:

Atollah Zafar is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On May 1, 2023, authorities arrested Zafar reportedly in relation to his activities assisting Baha'i families seeking to bury their loved ones at a Baha'i cemetery in Tehran. During his arrest, law enforcement officials raided his home and confiscated his belongings. 

In July 2023, it was reported that the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Zafar to five years in prison for “membership in illegal groups to disrupt national security.”

In October 2023, it was reported that Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeal had reduced Zafar's sentence to two years in prison.

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Zafar was previously imprisoned for his religious activity.

On September 27, 2019, authorities arrested Zafar reportedly in relation to his being Baha'i. 

On October 20, 2019, Zafar was released on bail.

On an unspecified date, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Zafar to one year in prison reportedly for "membership in organizations that aim to disrupt national security" (Art. 499 IPC).

On an unspecified date in 2021, Branch 26 of the Tehran Court of Appeals upheld Zafar's sentence. 

On August 29, 2022, Zafar was taken into custody to begin serving his sentence in Evin Prison. He was reportedly 78 years old at the time. Zafar was reportedly arrested after appearing at a courthouse with a doctor's note saying he is not healthy enough to endure prison. Zafar reportedly suffers from heart disease. 

In September 2022, Zafar was taken to the prison hospital and then later to Taleghani Hospital for treatment after unclear medical issues. Zafar was reportedly later taken back to prison without completing his treatment. 

On October 29, 2022, Zafar was released on bail.

In February 2023, Zafar was granted amnesty.

Related Cases: Shadi Shahidzadeh, Mansour Amini, Valiollah Ghadamia

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