Dual Iranian-New Zealand Citizen, Sereen Curtis Sentenced to Over 9 Years of Imprisonment and Additional Penalties by Iranian Judiciary

Hengaw; Thursday, August 8, 2024

Sereen Curtis (Badiei), known as "Prince Sereen," a dual Iranian-New Zealand citizen currently serving the fifth month of his detention in Karaj Central Prison, has been sentenced by the Iranian judiciary to a total of 9 years, 1 month, and 16 days of imprisonment and additional penalties.

According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights,  Sereen Curtis was sentenced by Branch 3 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Karaj to 66 months in prison for "inciting corruption and obscenity," 36 months for "insulting sanctities," and 7 months and 16 days for "propaganda against the government," totaling 109 months and 16 days of imprisonment.

This dual citizen has also been sentenced to two years of prohibition from leaving the country and engaging in activities on social media as additional penalties.

On July 3, 2024, another part of the charges against Curtis in this case was reviewed by Branch 113 of the Criminal Court Two of Karaj.

According to Sereen Curtis's lawyer, Ali Sharifzadeh Ardakani, he suffers from bipolar disorder and has been hospitalized for two weeks at Roozbeh Hospital in Tehran.

He added: "Sereen Curtis brought some properties, including a number of jewels and currency (dollars) with him to Iran, which have been confiscated. As a result, my client has faced financial difficulties in prison, and we have informed some of his acquaintances and the New Zealand embassy about this issue."

This dual citizen was arrested by security forces in Karaj on March 25 of this year and transferred to Karaj Central Prison in June.