#FreeSoheil 

27 March 2023 UPDATE

Soheil Arabi released on bail

The well-known atheist and ex-Muslim Soheil Arabi has been released on bail on 19 March after having been violently re-arrested by the Islamic regime in Iran. The 40 atheist and secularist organisations that joined together to campaign for his release are overjoyed to hear of his release and send their condolences to Soheil for the loss of his beloved father. We will continue to demand that all his charges be dropped and that all political prisoners are unconditionally freed. Thanks to all those who campaigned on his behalf. We will keep you informed of any new developments.

****

In London, 4 February, there was an action for #FreeSoheilArabi #FreePoliticalPrisonersinIran

Film by Reason4Freedom

It includes messages of solidarity with Soheil and political prisoners in Iran. Please continue to send us messages of support to Soheil. Also, please continue contacting elected representatives to take action. Actions took place in other cities too and by organisations that are politically sponsoring Soheil Arabi – see below. Actions took place in other cities and on social media on the day too.

UPDATE: Soheil Arabi was beaten so badly during his arrest that he reportedly had a heart attack and was taken to hospital. Since 7 January, he is being held in Greater Tehran Prison. He is at risk and being tortured. On 1 February, Soheil was again transferred to Rajaie Shahr prison in the usual violent and inhuman manner that is normal for the Islamic regime of Iran.

POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP

We, the undersigned ex-Muslim, atheist, secularist and freethought organisations, have joined together to politically sponsor the well-known Iranian atheist and ex-Muslim Soheil Arabi, who was re-arrested from his home on 2 January 2023 by the Islamic Republic of Iran’s security forces.

Sources have informed us that he was violently beaten during the arrest, denied much-needed medicine and moved to an unknown location.

We are extremely concerned about his well-being given the increased risk of execution for many protestors and critics in an effort to quell the revolutionary uprising since the murder of Mahsa Jina Amini. As a long-term political prisoner previously on death row, Soheil’s life is at grave risk.

A political sponsorship system has proven effective in protecting Iranian political prisoners. As Soheil Arabi’s political sponsors, we will continue to advocate and mobilise support and solidarity for him and put pressure on the Islamic regime of Iran to free him immediately and unconditionally.

#WhereIsSoheilArabi #FreeSoheil #FreePoliticalPrisoners #Iran #MahsaAmini

For more information contact Maryam Namazie, Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain at m.namazie@ex-muslim.org.uk and Susanna McIntyre, Atheist Republic at susanna@atheistrepublic.com.