Pouya Sarraf

Pouya Sarraf is a Bahai citizen from Karaj. He was arrested during the national uprising triggered by Mahsa Amini's murder.

The murder of Mahsa Amini triggered a country-wide uprising in September 2022 in Iran. The protests were initially sporadical around the country and against the mandatory hijab. But in a few days, dozens of cities in Iran became the scenes of clashes between protesters and security forces. The protesters' main demands were freedom of attire and the overthrow of the Islamic Republic. The focus of the protests on women led to international attention. <symbol-timeline></symbol-timeline>

• <coverage-outsourcing id='43811'> <reference source='https://bit.ly/3XNgmOu'> Security forces searched Bita momtazi and Pouya Sarraf's home along with many other Bahai homes. According to IranWire the confiscated some of they personal belongings. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='43806'> <reference source='https://bit.ly/3H1V6P7'> Security forces arrested him in Karaj. According to IranWire, security forces went to his workplace and after searching the place, they confiscated Mr. Sarraf's computer hard drives, cell phones, and flash memory card. After that, the agents went to his home and after a search, they confiscated some of his and his wife's personal belongings and books. He was arrested during the protests across Sistan and Balochistan province in response to the rape of a 15-year-old Baloch girl by the chief of police of Chabahar and the murder of Mahsa Amini. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='43807'> <reference source='https://bit.ly/3XNgmOu'> He was transferred from Karaj Prison to Shiraz. IranWire reported that his family is unaware of his situation and in response to their questions the authorities would only say "our brothers came from Shiraz and took him with them." IranWire also reported that his case is being investigated in the 14th branch of the revolutionary court of Shiraz. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='45036'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/?p=389922'> HRANA reported that he is still in Intelligence Ministry lockup awaiting a decision and has no access to an attorney or regular calls with family. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='45679'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2023/hranews/a-38955/'> HRANA reported that Mr. Sarraf is being denied visitation and his arrest warrant was recently extended. his attorney was not given access to the case documents. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='47605'> <reference source='https://rb.gy/l9r3ew'> The revolutionary court of Karaj sentenced 13 Bahai citizens to over 38 years in prison in a joint case. According to IranWire, These citizens were charged with "insult and education and propaganda against Islamic Sharia, participation in groups with the intent to undermine national security through promotion of Bahaism in children and youth," and "propaganda against the Islamic Sharia through coaching." Based on the ruling, Afif Naeimi was sentenced to seven years in prison, 50 billion rials in fines, five years deprived of social rights, two years exile from Alborz province, two years ban on leaving the country, and two years banned from any educational and cultural activities. None of the charges for the defendants were mentioned in the report, but based on this sentence it seems he was convicted of forming and managing illegal groups. Saman Ostovar and Kamyar Habibi were each sentenced to five years in prison, 500 million rials in fines, and similar social punishments, seemingly for the same crime of forming and managing dissident groups. Rameleh Tirgarnejad wife of Kamyar Habibi was sentenced to three years in prison and 300 million rials in fines, plus similar social punishments, seemingly for membership in illegal groups. Elham Shareghi Arani and Sabin Yazdani were each sentenced to three years in prison and similar social punishments, probably for membership in illegal groups. Bita Momtazi, Shahrzad Mastouri, Sadaf Shaikhzadeh, Mahsa Tirgar, Negin Rezaei, Sahba Adyani, and Nakisa Sadeghi were each sentenced to 25 months in prison, fines, and similar social punishments. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='47255'> <reference source='https://rb.gy/4p5zlt'> According to IranWire Pouya Sarraf has been in Intelligence Ministry lockup in Shiraz (Number 100) for four months now. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='48996'> <reference source='https://rb.gy/aal6k7'> He was released on bail. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>