Soheil Arabi

Extra Bio Info:

Soheil Arabi was detained in relation to nationwide protests against mandatory religious veiling.

On January 2, 2023, authorities in Tehran arrested Arabi from his home under unclear circumstances. His arrest came amid a crackdown on protestors, civil society, and former political prisoners following nationwide protests against the death of Mahsa Amini and mandatory religious veiling. Arabi reportedly experienced a heart attack during interrogation and was transferred to Sajjad Hospital. 

On February 1, 2023, Arabi was reportedly transferred from Greater Tehran Prison to Rajaei Shahr Prison in Karaj.

In March 2023, Arabi was released on bail. 

In May 2023, it was reported that Arabi was sent into internal exile in Borazjan County of Bushehr province.

Arabi, who suffers from high blood pressure, has reportedly been deprived of medicine while in prison.

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Soheil Arabi was previously imprisoned for blasphemy.

In late 2013, authorities arrested Arabi, a blogger, photojournalist, and human rights activist, and charged him with “insulting the Prophet Mohamed” for his alleged Facebook activity.  United For Iran lists the charges leveled against him at the time as "insulting the Prophet" (Art. 262 IPC), "committing corruption on earth" (Art. 286 IPC), "propaganda against the state" (Art. 500 IPC), "insulting Islamic sanctities" (Art. 513 IPC), and “insulting the Supreme Leader” (Art. 514 IPC). 

On August 30, 2014, Branch 76 of the Tehran Criminal Court sentenced him to death.

In June 2015, Branch 24 of the Supreme Court rejected Arabi’s death sentence. His case was then referred to Branch 10 of the Tehran General Court.

On an unspecified date, Arabi was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison for “insulting the sacred.”

Since going to prison, Arabi has been charged several more times related to his activism advocating for better prison conditions for inmates, resulting in his prison stay being extended.

In October 2018, it was reported in October 2018 that Arabi was sentenced to another three years in prison and three years in exile for "agitating the public consciousness" (Art. 698 or 746 IPC or Art. 18 of the Computer Crimes Act) and one year in prison on the charge of "propaganda against the state" (Art. 500 IPC). Arabi was expected to serve two years in prison as the sentences ran concurrently. This sentence was reportedly upheld.

In December 2020, Arabi reportedly had a hearing after being charged with "propaganda activities against the state."

In February 2021, Arabi was reportedly acquitted of that most recent charge. 

In May 2021, Arabi reportedly had another hearing after being charged again with "propaganda activities against the state" for “reporting on the situation of the prison, hunger strike in protest against the deprivation of the political prisoners from medical treatment, and publishing statements about November 2019 general protests in Iran.”

On November 16, 2021, Arabi was reportedly released from Rajaei Shahr Prison and brought to Borazjan to serve his exile.

Arabi’s health condition in prison had been marked by repeated hunger strikes, severe medical problems, medical neglect, and prison guard beatings.