Hamid Gharehassanlou

Extra Bio Info:

Hamid Gharehassanlou is imprisoned on religiously oriented charges for protesting religious freedom conditions. 

On November 4, 2022, authorities in Karaj arrested Gharehassanlou, a member of the Sufi Gonabadi Order, and his wife Farzaneh Gharehassanlou from their home after they had participated in the 40th day commemoration of the murder of Hadis Najafi. Najafi had been killed by security forces while protesting the death of Mahsa Amini. Hamid Gharehassanlou was reportedly beaten during the arrest. Authorities falsely accused the Gharehassanlous of being involved in the killing of a member of a state-backed paramilitary force. During interrogations, Hamid was reportedly tortured into confessing. Farzaneh was also reportedly tortured into making incriminating claims about Hamid. 

On November 6, 2022, state media broadcasted forced confessions by the Gharehassanlous. Both Hamid and Farzaneh reportedly had visible signs of torture on their bodies.

In early December 2022, it was learned that a court in Karaj, Alborz province, sentenced Hamid Gharehassanlou to death for “spreading corruption on earth through committing crimes against national security.” At the time of his sentencing, Gharehassanlou was in the hospital recovering from internal bleeding caused by torture. According to a family member, authorities reportedly threatened the Gharehassanlous' lawyers until they were forced to accept a public defender, who allegedly worked to convict them.

In late December 2022, it was reported that Gharehassanlou had been returned to Karaj Central Penitentiary. 

In February 2023, it was reported that Gharehassanlou's health had deteriorated and that authorities at Karaj Central Penitentiary had refused to provide him adequate medical care and transfer him to a hospital for treatment. Gharehassanlou reportedly suffers from heart disease and digestive issues.

In April 2023, it was reported that a court in Karaj sentenced Gharehassanlou to 15 years in prison, and that prison authorities have not provided medical treatment despite his “worrying physical conditions.” 

In May 2025, it was reported that Iranian authorities continue to deny Gharehassanlou needed medical treatment by manipulating the approval process for the required treatment to make it more difficult to secure.

Related Cases: Farzaneh Gharehassanlou