Important: Click here to read this clarification about some of our previous statements regarding 'Moharabeh'.
This is our Sunni brother, Behrouz Shahnazari, awaiting execution, Iran.
He has been held in solitary confinement in Evin prison, Tehran, since the 9th of October, 2013. Fears for his safety are growing, and there has been no recent news about his condition.
Originally from the city of Sanandaj, he was a student of knowledge and an active member of his community.
He was from a Sunni-majority area, and he would spend time teaching his people and advising them to return back to following the teachings of Sunni Islam.
Actively preaching Sunni Islam can be dangerous in Iran, a Shia-ruled country, where ethnic and religious minorities face discrimination and persecution.
Many Sunni scholars and students of knowledge have been imprisoned and even executed, after refusing to stop propagating Sunni Islam.
Behrouz Shahnazari was arrested on May 11, 2009, at the age of 25. He spent nearly two years in solitary confinement under the orders of the Ministry of Intelligence. He was severely tortured.
He was then moved to Hall 10, Ward 4 of Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj, famously known as the 'Hall of Ahlus Sunnah' due to the number of knowledgeable Sunni Scholars and students imprisoned there.
He was sentenced to death in branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary court, by Judge Mohammad Moghisseh. He was convicted of 'Moharabeh' (enmity against God or the regime), and sentenced to death by hanging.
On October 9, 2013, Behrouz and four other men were removed from their cells in Rajai Shahr prison and taken to an undisclosed location, with no news about their whereabouts. Finally, reports emerged that four of the men had been moved to Evin prison in Tehran, where they were being held in horrific conditions.
One of the men, Shahram Ahmadi, had been psychologically tortured by guards who simulated his execution on a number of occasions. He was given only one meal each morning and forced to remain hungry until the following day. He reported that he was under severe mental pressure.
There was no detailed information about the condition of Behrouz or the other men, but it is assumed that they are facing similar treatment.
Sheikh Kaveh Vaisi and Mokhtar Rahimi were also transferred to Evin prison, giving a total of six Sunni men who are in solitary confinement in Evin prison.
There has been no recent news about their condition. Concerns are growing for their welfare.
This is our Sunni brother, Behrouz Shahnazari, awaiting execution, Iran.
He has been held in solitary confinement in Evin prison, Tehran, since the 9th of October, 2013. Fears for his safety are growing, and there has been no recent news about his condition.
Originally from the city of Sanandaj, he was a student of knowledge and an active member of his community.
He was from a Sunni-majority area, and he would spend time teaching his people and advising them to return back to following the teachings of Sunni Islam.
Actively preaching Sunni Islam can be dangerous in Iran, a Shia-ruled country, where ethnic and religious minorities face discrimination and persecution.
Many Sunni scholars and students of knowledge have been imprisoned and even executed, after refusing to stop propagating Sunni Islam.
Behrouz Shahnazari was arrested on May 11, 2009, at the age of 25. He spent nearly two years in solitary confinement under the orders of the Ministry of Intelligence. He was severely tortured.
He was then moved to Hall 10, Ward 4 of Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj, famously known as the 'Hall of Ahlus Sunnah' due to the number of knowledgeable Sunni Scholars and students imprisoned there.
He was sentenced to death in branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary court, by Judge Mohammad Moghisseh. He was convicted of 'Moharabeh' (enmity against God or the regime), and sentenced to death by hanging.
On October 9, 2013, Behrouz and four other men were removed from their cells in Rajai Shahr prison and taken to an undisclosed location, with no news about their whereabouts. Finally, reports emerged that four of the men had been moved to Evin prison in Tehran, where they were being held in horrific conditions.
One of the men, Shahram Ahmadi, had been psychologically tortured by guards who simulated his execution on a number of occasions. He was given only one meal each morning and forced to remain hungry until the following day. He reported that he was under severe mental pressure.
There was no detailed information about the condition of Behrouz or the other men, but it is assumed that they are facing similar treatment.
Sheikh Kaveh Vaisi and Mokhtar Rahimi were also transferred to Evin prison, giving a total of six Sunni men who are in solitary confinement in Evin prison.
There has been no recent news about their condition. Concerns are growing for their welfare.