Naser Navard Goltapeh

Extra Bio Info:

Naser Navard Goltapeh is detained for his religious identity. 

In February 2025, authorities detained Goltapeh and other Christians without charge and sent him to Evin Prison. 

In May 2025, Goltapeh was hospitalized after suffering a stroke from a 35-day hunger strike protesting his detention in solitary confinement. After two days in Bani-Hashem Hospital, he was returned to the general ward of Evin Prison.

In September 2025, Judge Abolghasem Salavati of Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court held a hearing for Goltapeh on the charges of "propaganda against the regime" and "acting against national security."  In the prosecutor’s final decision, activities such as establishing, operating, and leading a house church, holding evangelical Christian gatherings, and performing religious rites such as water baptism and communion were cited as examples of the alleged offenses.

On October 15, 2025, Judge Abolqasem Salavati sentenced Goltapeh to 10 years' imprisonment on various charges under the amended Article 500 of the Iranian penal code. The Ministry of Intelligence has confiscated his personal property, including Bibles and Christian literature.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Naser Navard Goltapeh has been previously imprisoned for practicing his religion as a convert. 

In June/July 2016, authorities arrested Goltapeh following a raid on an engagement party he was attending. He was reportedly denied access to a lawyer.

In November 2016, Goltapeh was reportedly released on bail.

In the summer of 2017, Goltapeh was sentenced to ten years in prison for "founding or leading an organization that aims to disrupt national security" (Art. 498 IPC), which reportedly included the crimes of "acting against national security, soft overthrow of the state through Christian proselytization, institutional relations with the church of The Living Word...and zionist propaganda."

In November 2017, it is reported that an appeals court had upheld Goltapeh's sentence.

In January 2018, it was reported that Goltapeh had been taken into state custody to begin serving his sentence. 

In August 2020, it was reported that Goltapeh had developed COVID-19 symptoms. 

In February 2022, it was reported that Goltapeh was experiencing COVID-19 symptoms following an outbreak in his prison.

In October 2022, it was reported that Goltapeh had been released from prison.

Goltapeh was reportedly routinely denied adequate medical care.

Goltapeh was reportedly denied retrials and parole, despite qualifying for it. 

Goltapeh was the primary caretaker of his mother prior to his initial arrest. 

Related cases: Joseph Shahbazian