Saheb Fadaee

Name: Saheb Fadaee

Country/Area of Origin: Iran

Background: Saheb was one of the Iranian Christians arrested alongside Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, Mohammad Reza Omidi, and Mohammad Ali Mosayebzadeh. Prior to his arrest, he worked as a deacon at the Church of Iran.

Reason for Arrest:

Saheb was arrested on 13 May 2016 along with the three other Iranian Christians and was released on bail two weeks later alongside Mohammad Reza Omidi. The four men were charged in July 2017 for “acting against national security”, “propagating house churches”, and “promoting Zionist Christianity” and were each sentenced to ten years in prison.

Latest Updates:

  • On 24 October 2021, Saheb was informed that he had been denied parole despite his eligibility.
  • On 15 November 2020, Saheb received 80 lashes for drinking communion wine.
  • In November 2020, it was reported that Saheb had returned to prison after a five-day furlough, which was the first one he received during his sentence.
  • In June 2020, Saheb was informed, alongside Youcef Nadarkhani, that his sentence was reduced to six years. Mohammad Reza Omidi’s sentence was reduced to two years.
  • In December 2019, it was reported that Saheb was being denied sufficient medical treatment despite suffering a high fever and hallucinations over the course of a week. He was originally prescribed two pills and an injection by the prison doctor, but his symptoms returned within three days. Article18’s Advocacy Director, Mansour Borji, stated the following:
    • “Together with many Christians around the world, we are closely following Saheb’s situation and are concerned about his deteriorating health. The Iranian authorities must stop this repeating pattern of neglect and denial of medical treatment for prisoners of conscience. Saheb has a wife and a daughter who are looking forward to him returning home in full health.”
  • In September 2018, Saheb was handed an additional sentence, 18 months in prison, for “spreading propaganda against the regime”.