Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Health Concerns: Heart, kidney, eye disease
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: November//2017
Date of Release: December/3/2019
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Education Rights Religious Association Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Hassan Sarvestani Momtaz was imprisoned for his religious association and for providing religious education.
In the years prior to his arrest, Momtaz, an educator, had been questioned by authorities about his work with the Baha’i Institute of Higher Education (BIHE). On May 22, 2011, authorities raided Momtaz's and other homes of BIHE staff. In March 2013, Momtaz appeared before the Evin Court.
In February 2014, Momtaz was reportedly sentenced to five years in prison.
In November 2014, an appeals court reportedly upheld his sentence.
In November 2017, Momtaz was taken into custody to begin serving his sentence.
While in prison, Momtaz's health reportedly began to deteriorate and underwent an angiography. He suffers from acute heart, kidney, and eye disease.
In August 2019, Momtaz was granted a medical furlough for a few days.
On December 3, 2019, Momtaz was released from prison.
Photo attributed to Bahá’í World News Service
"Hassan Momtaz Sarvestani" United For Iran
"Baha’i Hassan Sarvestani Released from Evin Prison After Completing His Sentence" Iran Press Watch
"Profiles of Baha’i educators" Bahá’í World News Service