Yousef Mehrad and Seyed Sadrollah Fazeli Zare, two prisoners of conscience previously sentenced to death for insulting the Prophet of Islam, have been transferred to solitary confinement in Arak Prison. This development has raised concerns about the possibility of their execution, as such transfers are often a prelude to carrying out the death penalty.

According to an informed source close to their families who spoke to HRANA, the families have kept the verdicts silent in the hope of saving their children’s lives. However, they are becoming increasingly worried as events seem to be moving in a different direction from what officials had promised.

The source revealed that their fellow inmates had informed their families about the relocation, but prison officials have not communicated anything to their lawyers or families. Furthermore, the families’ inquiries to prison officials have remained unanswered. This lack of information is causing additional anxiety for the families.

Mehrad and Fazeli Zare, along with five others, Farhad Chehrehsa, Mohammad Zohreh Vandi, Akram Safaie Tavana, Mohammad Fallah Rashkola and Kobra Imani, were arrested by security forces for running a Telegram channel named “Criticism of Superstition and Religion.” Mehrad and Fazeli have been held in solitary confinement for two months since their arrest.

In the first two parts of their legal case, the Arak Criminal Court sentenced Mehrad and Fazeli Zare to death for insulting the prophet of Islam. In the third part, the Arak Revolutionary Court sentenced Mehrad, Fazeli Zare, and Farhad Chehrehsa to eight years for “running groups to act national security.” However, by applying Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code and pleading no contest, their sentences were reduced to six years.

Mehrad is a resident of Ardabil and the father of a three-year-old child.