Abdolghafoor Ghalandarinejad, a Gonabadi dervish, has been sentenced to two years in prison by the Bandar Abbas Revolutionary Court.

Majzooban-e Noor reports that Ghalandarinejad was charged with “propaganda against the regime and membership in an anti-regime party with the purpose of disrupting national security.”

Ten days ago, another Gonabadi dervish, Ali Karami, was sentenced to three years in prison.

The UN human rights rapporteur for Iran has reported on the prevalence of discrimination and pressure on Gonabadi dervishes in Iran.

Many dervishes and their defenders have been imprisoned in recent years. At least 13 dervishes have received heavy prison sentences for charges such as acting against national security and disturbing the public.

Activists claim that during the term of the previous president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a systematic plan was implemented to suppress Gonabadi dervishes and their practices.

Radio Zamaneh