Three members of the Baha'i religious minority from central Isfahan have been taken into custody to begin serving two-year prison sentences, according to human rights monitors.
Arshia Rouhani, Hamid Manzavi, and Arash Nabavi reported to the Enforcement Branch of the Isfahan Prosecutor's Office on Monday and were subsequently transferred to Dastgerd prison.
The Isfahan Court of Appeals had previously reduced their original sentences. Nabavi’s initial 10-year term and the five-year sentences for Manzavi and Rouhani were each reduced to two years.
The three men were convicted on charges including “propaganda in favor of groups opposed to the state,” “propaganda against the government,” and “membership in groups intending to disrupt national security.”
Monzavi and Rouhani were sentenced in June 2024 by Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mohammadreza Tavakkoli, the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights reported.
Prior to their sentencing, in September 2023, Iranian security forces raided and sealed their business premises and confiscated personal property.
Nabavi, 38, was arrested during a raid on his home in August 2023 and released on bail two months later.
In July 2024, he was sentenced by the same court on charges that initially totaled 10 years.
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