Loghman Amini, the Friday prayer leader of the Chahar Yar-e Nabi mosque and a religious studies teacher in Sanandaj, Kurdistan province, was previously detained by security forces on 30 January 2023 on the road from Sanandaj to Marivan, Kurdistan Province, in the midst of the anti-government Women, Life, Freedom uprising.

He was provisionally released on bail on 22 February of that year, pending trial.

Subsequently, the Special Clerical Court in Hamadan handed down a sentence of 11 years in prison, two years of exile to Ardabil, Ardabil Province, permanent removal of clerical status, and a lifelong ban on delivering sermons.

The court found him guilty of charges including “propaganda against the state”, “inciting unrest,” and “possession of a handgun”.

Arrest

Amini was arrested on 21 April after appearing before the Special Clerical Court in Hamadan, which has charged him with “insulting sanctities”.

Defendant’s Rights

He was arrested without a warrant and was denied family visits and access to legal representation during his detention.

Current Status

Amini was provisionally released on bail from Hamadan Central Prison on 2 June 2025.

Notes:

1. Article 500 of the Islamic Penal Code: “Anyone who engages in propaganda activities against the Islamic Republic of Iran or in favour of groups and organisations opposing the state, in any manner, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period of three months to one year.”

2. Article 512 of the Islamic Penal Code: “Anyone who, with the intent to disrupt national security, entices or incites people to engage in conflict and bloodshed among themselves, regardless of whether it leads to murder and plunder, shall be sentenced to one to five years’ imprisonment.”

3. Article 513 of the Islamic Penal Code: “Anyone who insults the sanctities of Islam or any of the Great Prophets, the Infallible Imams (peace be upon them), or Her Holiness Fatima Zahra (peace be upon her), shall, if the act falls under the category of sabb al-nabi (insulting the Prophet), be sentenced to death. Otherwise, the punishment shall be imprisonment for a period of one to five years.”