In an open letter, the family of Molavi Fathi Mohammad Naqshbandi, the Friday Prayer Leader of Rask County, expresses deep concern over his undisclosed status after 142 days of detention. They urge international human rights organizations to investigate and exert pressure on the Iranian government for violating human rights and religious minorities’ rights in Iran.
The letter reads as follows:
One hundred and forty-two days have passed since the unjust detention of the elderly Sunni scholar, Molavi Fathi Mohammad Naqshbandi, on August 20, 2023, along the Chabahar route. During this time, we, his family, have had no information about his condition, health, or whereabouts.
Throughout this period, he has not been allowed even one phone call with his family.
His ruthless and unjust detention, indicative of injustice, unfair religious discrimination, human rights violations, and suppression of freedom of expression, especially considering the advanced age of this scholar, who is over 60 years old, involves the family’s lack of information about his status and location, as well as the absence of visits and telephone communication. This compounds the injustices and violates the rights of prisoners in this country.
For what crime?
For what crime have they deprived him of even the most basic human rights, and no one is held accountable?
We, the family of Molavi Naqshbandi, while requesting prayers for this oppressed and elderly scholar, implore international human rights organizations to hold Iran accountable for the situation of all prisoners and captives, especially Molavi Fathi Mohammad Naqshbandi.”
It is worth noting that Molavi Fathi Mohammad Naqshbandi, the Friday Prayer Leader of Rask County, was detained by security forces linked to the IRGC on August 20, 2023. Despite the passage of about five months, he has not been allowed any contact with his family, and his health status remains unknown.
