Behnam Akhlaghi

Extra Bio Info:

Behnam Akhlaghi was imprisoned for practicing his religion as a convert.

On February 23, 2019, Akhlaghi was summoned to the Revolutionary Guard office and detained reportedly in relation to his church activity.  Other members of the Church of Iran in Rasht were reportedly arrested around the same time.

In March 2019, Akhlaghi was released on bail pending trial.

On July 24, 2019, Akhlaghi was remanded after reportedly being unable to pay the new bail set by the judge. During this hearing, it is also reported that Akhlaghi was not allowed to choose his own lawyer. 

On October 13, 2019, Akhlaghi was sentenced to five years in prison for “assembling and colluding to act against national security" (Art. 610 IPC).

In March 2020, Akhlaghi's appeal was rejected after he and his lawyer were reportedly not allowed to attend the hearing. 

In October 2021, a video of Akhlaghi discussing his arrest and detention circumstances was published, indicating he had been released on furlough at some point during the COVID-19 pandemic.  In the video, which is said to have been taken on October 1, 2021, Akhlaghi acknowledges the end of his furlough within a few hours and returning to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.

On January 1, 2022, Akhlaghi was reportedly conditionally released from Evin Prison pending a review of his case. 

In February 2022, a court of appeals acquitted Akhlaghi. 

In February 2022, a new case was reportedly opened up against Akhlaghi for "propaganda against the state" (Art. 500 IPC). 

On May 8, 2022, security forces reportedly arrested Akhlaghi in Rasht. He was reportedly released the next day.