Ramin Hasanpour and Saideh Sajadpour, Christian Believers, Summoned for Execution of Prison Sentence
Ramin Hasanpour and Saideh (Catherine) Sajadpour, Christian believers, have been summoned through a notification to Branch 1 of the Criminal Sentences Execution Unit of Evin Court for the execution of their prison sentences. These citizens were sentenced in Mordad 1399 (August 2020) to a total of 7 years in prison.
According to Hrana News Agency, citing Article 18, Ramin Hasanpour and Saideh Sajadpour, Christian believers, have been summoned for execution of their prison sentences.
Based on this report, a notification issued by Branch 1 of the Criminal Sentences Execution Unit of Evin Court has requested these citizens to appear at this branch within 20 days from the date of notification of the sentence.
Hrana had previously reported in a separate account the summons of Sekineh Bahjati, who is in the same case as these individuals for execution of prison sentences.
Ramin Hasanpour and his wife Catherine Sajadpour, along with Hadi Rahimi and Sekineh Bahjati, were interrogated in Bahman 1398 (November-December 2019) following security forces’ presence at their residence, and after confiscation of personal belongings and documents, they were told they would soon be summoned to court.
These citizens were summoned on Ordibehesht 1399 (April-May 2020) through a phone call to Branch 10 of the Islamic Revolution Court in Rasht, and after charges were explained, a bail of 500 million tomans was set for each individual. On Ordibehesht 25, due to inability to pay the bail, they were transferred to Lakan Prison located in Rasht. Finally, with the bail reduced to 200 million tomans, Saideh Sajadpour was temporarily released on Ordibehesht 31 and Ramin Hasanpour on Khordad 1 until the end of legal proceedings.
In Mordad 1399 (August 2020), Ramin Hasanpour was sentenced to 5 years in prison and Saideh Sajadpour to 2 years in prison.
It should be noted that although Christians are recognized as a religious minority under law, security apparatus pursue the issue of Muslims converting to Christianity with particular sensitivity and use coercive measures against activists in this field.
The treatment of Christian believers in Iran occurs while according to Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and the freedom to manifest their religion or belief, either individually or in community with others and in public or private.
Source: Hrana
