Additional Name(s): مهدی مهدوی‌فر

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sufi

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Sentence: 7 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February/20/2018

Date of Sentencing: August//2018

Date of Release: March//2020

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Protesting Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Illegal Assembly Public Disorder Unlawful Disobedience

Mehdi Mahdavifar

Extra Bio Info:

Mehdi Mahdavifar was imprisoned for his religious association and for protesting religious freedom conditions.

In February 2018, authorities arrested Mahdavifar following a violent crackdown on people protesting the arrest of Nematollah Riahi. Riahi, a member of the Sufi Gonabadi Order, had come to Tehran earlier in February to participate in a sit-in protesting the house arrest of spiritual leader Noor Ali Tabandeh. Mahdavifar was reportedly charged with "refusing police orders" (Art. 607 IPC), "assembling and colluding to act against national security" (Art. 610 IPC), and "disrupting public order" (Art. 618 IPC). Mahdavifar was reportedly denied access to a lawyer.

In August 2018, Mahdavifar was reportedly sentenced to 13 years and six months in prison, 148 lashes, two years in exile, and two years of deprived social rights. Mahdavifar was expected to serve seven years and six months in prison as the sentences ran concurrently.

In March 2020, Mahdavifar was reportedly released from prison following a state directive in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mahdavifar was reportedly subjected to attacks and denied adequate medical care during his detention.

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