Joseph Shahbazian

Extra Bio Info:

Joseph Shahbazian is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On June 30, 2020, authorities arrested Shahbazian, a house-church leader, following raids targeting house-churches across several cities.

On August 22, 2020, Shahbazian was released on bail.

On June 7, 2022, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court reportedly sentenced Shahbazian to 10 years in prison for "founding or leading an organization that aims to disrupt national security" (Art. 498 IPC).

In August 2022, a Tehran appeals court rejected Shahbazian's appeal.

On August 30, 2022, Shahbazian surrendered into state custody to begin serving his sentence at Evin Prison.

In June 2023, it was reported that Shahbazian's sentence had been reduced to two years. 

On September 13, 2023, Shahbazian was released from prison after reportedly being pardoned.

In February 2025, Iranian authorities again arrested Shahbazian and took him to Evin Prison. 

In April 2025, prison authorities denied Shahbazian permission to attend his mother's funeral. That month, Shahbazian's wife was reportedly arrested after intelligence authorities again raided the couple's home in Tehran. 

In June 2025, prison authorities transferred Shahbazian with a group of other Christians to the Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary, where they are reportedly being held in unsanitary conditions and overcrowded cells. 

He remains imprisoned without charge or trial.

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