Sepehr Ziaei

Sepehr Ziaei is a Bahai citizen living in Tehran. He was arrested during the nationwide uprising triggered by the murder of Mahsa Amini. Mr. ZIaei was once arrested in 2987 by the Ministry of Intelligence and pressured for his religious beliefs. He has served 1.5 years in Evin Prison, six months of which was in solitary.

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='42878'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2022/hranews/a-37180/'> He was arrested by the security forces. HRANA reported that 15 security agents arrived at Sepehr Ziaei's home and after searching the home, they confiscated some of the personal belongings of the family members including a laptop, computer, bank documents, and some cash, and then arrested him. According to IranWire, the agents refused to provide a list of confiscated items to the family and didn't accept the family's request to give back the business cheques. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='44461'> <reference source='https://bit.ly/3WlTog9'> The Ministry of Intelligence released a statement explaining its view of the cause of the nationwide uprising triggered by the murder of Mahsa Amini. The statement, published on IRGC's Tasnim website, reads: > The Bahai espionage organization, ordered by the central organization in occupied Haifa, had a strong presence in the riots and incitement of sabotage and destruction of public property. For that reason, in recent days a secret central core of Bahaism was targeted and three of its leaders and two members of its media team were arrested. However, IranWire reports that there is no evidence or document connecting Mr. Sepehr Ziaei to the protests. According to the report, he doesn't have any social media accounts. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='42879'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2022/hranews/a-37498/'> HRANA reported that in a phone call to the family, MR. Ziaei has reported that he is being held in a solitary cell in Evin Prison. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='42880'> <reference source='https://bit.ly/3gPrZnl'> IranWire reported that he is still being held in solitary at ward 209 of Evin Prison without an indictment. According to the report, his family's efforts have had no result and the authorities refuse to give them a clear response as to the reason for his arrest and the length of the arrest warrant. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='44460'> <reference source='https://bit.ly/3BBwWaR'> After two months, he had a 10-minute visit with his family. IranWire reported that he spent between 45 to 50 days in solitary and was then transferred to small cells with several cellmates. Sepehr Ziaei told his family that his interrogation phase has ended and the indictment has been sent to court. According to the report, in the past two months, Mr. Ziaei has lost complete hearing in his left ear, and it is not clear whether it was due to physical assault or mental pressure from interrogations and solitary. IranWIre reported that after the solitary period, they initially sent Mr. Ziaei to a cell without a bathroom, which resulted in sending him to the infirmary after a few days. After that, at the request of the infirmary, he was transferred to another cell but he is still suffering from indigestion which hasn't been treated. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='48011'> <reference source='https://bit.ly/3ZiLANx'> The trial of Mr. Ziaei was held at branch 26 of the revolutionary court of Tehran presided by Judge Iman Afshari. IranWire reported that Mr. Ziaei has been charged with membership in the Bahai society. After the trial, he was sent to ward 209 of Evin Prison. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='48988'> <reference source='https://rb.gy/yxnapu'> IranWire reported that branch 36 of the appeal court of Tehran has confirmed the primary court's ruling for Mr. Ziaei verbatim. According to the report, Judge Iman Afshari at branch 26 of the revolutionary court of Tehran sentenced Sepehr Ziaei to five years in prison, two years ban from leaving the country, and confiscation of his cellphones and laptops for the charge of membership in an illegal group (Bahai religion). </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='49866'> <reference source='https://rb.gy/ridq'> IranWire reported that he and a number of other Bahai prisoners were denied furlough on Nowruz 2023. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>