Category: Religious Minorities

Rouya Ostovar Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison and Additional Punishments

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizens, HRANA, Rouya Ostovar, رویا استوار

HRANA – The conviction of Rouya Ostovar, a Baha’i citizen from Isfahan, has been fully upheld by Branch 47 of the Isfahan Province Court of Appeals. She had previously been sentenced to six years in prison along with additional penalties.

According to HRANA, on Tuesday, May 19, the sentence issued against Rouya Ostovar was upheld in its entirety by Branch 47 of the Isfahan Province Court of Appeals.

According to the court ruling, Ms. Ostovar was sentenced to five years in prison, a monetary fine, and deprivation of social rights for 15 years on charges of “conducting educational and promotional activities deemed contrary to Islamic law through the creation and administration of a WhatsApp group related to the Baha’i faith.” She was also sentenced to one year in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime through publishing content online.”

The international Baha’i community has issued a statement expressing concern regarding the sentence imposed on this Baha’i citizen.

In response to the ruling, Ms. Ostovar stated that the WhatsApp group in question had only nine members, three of whom were Baha’is. According to her, the evidence presented against her mainly consisted of congratulatory messages for various occasions and an image in which a symbol of the Baha’i faith appeared in part of the picture.

The lower court’s verdict was formally communicated to her in April of this year.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to more security and judicial pressure than any other religious minority in the country. HRA’s annual reports indicate that in 2025, an average of 62.41% of all reports concerning religious minorities involved violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

Baha’i Citizen Barsa Maleki Sentenced to Prison and Additional Punishments

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News, Religious Minorities
Barsa Maleki, HRANA, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison

HRANA – Barsa Maleki, a Baha’i resident of Mashhad, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad to two years of imprisonment, a monetary fine, and deprivation of social rights.

According to a ruling issued by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad and served on this Baha’i citizen, Mr. Maleki was convicted under Article 500 bis of the Islamic Penal Code for the charge of engaging in educational or propagandistic activities deemed deviant, contrary to, or disruptive of the sacred laws of Islam. He was sentenced to two years and one day in prison, an 80 million toman fine, and deprivation of social rights for a period of six years.

A source familiar with the matter confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “The verdict was issued some time ago and was formally communicated to this Baha’i citizen last week.”

Barsa Maleki was arrested on January 22 of 2026, along with eleven other individuals, during a birthday gathering in Mashhad.

After 24 days in detention, he was released from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad on bail.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to more security and judicial pressure than any other religious minority in the country. HRA’s annual reports indicate that in 2025, an average of 62.41% of all reports concerning religious minorities involved violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

Nouyan Hejazi, Baha’i Citizen, Sentenced to Prison and Additional Punishments

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Juybar, Leva Samimi, Nouyan Hejazi

HRANA – Nouyan Hejazi, a Baha’i citizen residing in Juybar, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of the city to imprisonment, a monetary fine, and deprivation of social rights.

According to HRANA, Nouyan Hejazi was sentenced by the Juybar Revolutionary Court, operating through Branch 102 of the Criminal Court of the county. Based on a ruling recently issued by the branch, Mr. Hejazi was sentenced to pay a fine exceeding 122 million tomans and deprived of social rights for 10 years on charges described as “promoting the Baha’i faith.” He was also sentenced to seven months and 16 days in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

Nouyan Hejazi was arrested on June 25, 2025, by security forces at his home without the presentation of a judicial warrant. He was later released on bail on August 3, 2025.

Leva Samimi, Nouyan’s wife, was also arrested when she went to Kachouei Detention Center in Sari to follow up on her husband’s situation. She was released on bail some time later.

Baha’i Citizen Navid Irani Faces Continued Detention and Uncertainty in Mashhad

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News, Religious Minorities
HRANA, Mashhad, Navid Irani, Vakilabad prison

HRANA – Navid Irani (Zarrin), a Baha’i citizen living in Mashhad who was arrested during the 2026 protests in the city, remains imprisoned in an uncertain legal status in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, despite more than four months having passed since his arrest.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Navid Irani continues to be held in limbo at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, despite four months and four days having passed since his arrest.

Navid Irani (Zarrin), a Baha’i citizen and photographer residing in Mashhad, was arrested on January 15 in connection with the 2025 protests in the city of Mashhad.

It should be noted that protests and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and within two days spread beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became one of the largest protest movements of recent years. Following the crackdown by security and law enforcement forces, thousands were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security agencies. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report titled “Crimson Winter,” documenting the first fifty days following the outbreak of Iran’s nationwide protests.

Romina Goli, Baha’i Citizen in Sari, Arrested and Charged

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News, Religious Minorities
HRANA, Romina Goli, Sari

HRANA – Romina Goli, a Baha’i citizen residing in Sari, was arrested on Saturday, May 9, and her interrogation session was held yesterday at the prosecutor’s office in the city. At the conclusion of the session, a one-month temporary detention order was issued against her.

Based on information received by HRANA, Ms. Goli’s interrogation session was held on Sunday, May 10, at the Sari Prosecutor’s Office. During the session, she was charged under Article 500 and Article 500 bis of the Islamic Penal Code with “propaganda against the regime” and “propaganda activities contrary to Islamic law.”

A source familiar with the matter confirmed to HRANA: “Romina Goli was arrested yesterday by security forces in Sari. At the same time, her home was searched, and officers confiscated her personal digital devices and religious books related to the Baha’i faith.”

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding Ms. Goli’s place of detention.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has faced more security and judicial pressure than any other religious minority. HRA’s annual report reveals that in 2025, an average of 62.41% of reports concerning religious minorities were related to violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

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Baha’i Citizen Riyaz Behrad Arrested in Karaj

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News, Religious Minorities
Bahais, Karaj, Riyaz Behrad, ریاض بهراد

HRANA – Riyaz Behrad, a Baha’i citizen, was arrested on Wednesday, May 6, after appearing at the Karaj Prosecutor’s Office and was transferred to an undisclosed location.

The arrest of this Baha’i citizen took place on Wednesday, May 6, after he appeared at the Karaj Prosecutor’s Office. Mr. Behrad’s home had also been searched by security forces on Monday, May 4.

At the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest, his whereabouts, or the charges brought against this Baha’i citizen.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has faced more security and judicial pressure than any other religious minority. HRA’s annual report reveals that in 2025, an average of 62.41% of reports concerning religious minorities were related to violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

Baha’i Citizen Flora Samadani Arrested in Yazd

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News, Religious Minorities
Ahmad Naeimi, Baha'i citizen, Flora Samadani, HRANA, Yazd

HRANA – Flora Samadani, a Baha’i citizen, was arrested on Sunday, May 3, by security forces in Yazd. Three days after her arrest, there is still no precise information available regarding her fate.

According to HRANA, the continued detention and uncertainty surrounding Flora Samadani has now entered its third day. Based on information received by HRANA, this Baha’i citizen was detained by security forces in Yazd on Sunday, May 3, and no information about her condition or whereabouts has been made available since. The lack of information about her situation has increased concerns among her family.

As of the time of this report, no details have been obtained regarding the reasons for her arrest or the charges brought against her.

Flora Samadani is a Baha’i resident of Yazd and the wife of Ahmad Naeimi. Mr. Naeimi has previously been arrested and faced judicial actions due to his religious beliefs.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to more security and judicial pressures than any other religious minority. A review of annual reports by the Statistics, Publications, and Works Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran indicates that over the past year, an average of 62.41% of reports concerning religious minorities were related to violations of the rights of Baha’is.

Three Christian Citizens Arrested in Yazd

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News, Religious Minorities
HRANA, Iranian Christians, Yazd

HRANA – The prosecutor of Yazd announced the arrest of three Christian citizens in the province on charges described as “forming a house church group and promoting Christianity.”

According to Fars News Agency, the public and revolutionary prosecutor of Yazd Province referred to these individuals as “key members of a Christian proselytizing network” and stated that they were arrested by security forces.

Mehdi Hassanpour further claimed that these citizens “established connections with Christian missionary organizations and entities linked to Israel, and subsequently formed a group in the form of a house church. They encouraged several family members and friends, both in person and online, to convert to Christianity.” He also alleged that some individuals connected to the case had insulted religious sanctities and “prayed for Israel’s victory.”

The report does not provide further details, including the identities of those arrested or their place of detention.

These actions against Christian converts in Iran occur despite Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both of which affirm every individual’s right to freedom of religion, including the right to change one’s religion and to express it individually or collectively, publicly or privately.

Families in the Dark as Detention of Three Baha’i Residents Continues in Shiraz

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News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Baha'i, Behzad Basiri, Mahsa Sotoudeh, Mandana Sotoudeh, Shiraz

HRANA – Nearly three weeks after their arrests, Behzad Basiri and Mandana Sotoudeh, a Baha’i couple living in Shiraz, along with Mahsa Sotoudeh, another Baha’i resident of the city, remain in a state of uncertainty. The lack of information about their fate has caused growing concern among their families and relatives.

Based on information received by HRANA, 18 days have passed since the arrests of Behzad Basiri and Mandana Sotoudeh, and 21 days since the arrest of Mahsa Sotoudeh. Despite this, their families and relatives remain completely unaware of their condition. Efforts to obtain information about their place of detention and their situation have so far been unsuccessful. Additionally, lawyers have not yet been able to formally register representation or follow up on their legal cases.

At the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for their arrests or the charges brought against them.

Mahsa Sotoudeh was arrested on Sunday, March 29, by IRGC intelligence forces at her home in Shiraz. Behzad Basiri and Mandana Sotoudeh were also arrested on Wednesday, April 1, by forces affiliated with the IRGC. Their arrests were accompanied by searches of their homes, during which agents confiscated their electronic devices.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to security and judicial measures more than any other religious minority. A review of the annual reports published by the Statistics, Publications, and Works Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran shows that over the past year, an average of 62% of reports concerning religious minorities were dedicated to violations of the civil rights of Baha’is.

IRGC Intelligence Organization: At least 127 People Arrested in Three Provinces

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other, Religious Minorities
East Azerbaijan, HRANA, IRGC Intelligence, Kerman, Mazandaran

HRANA – The IRGC Intelligence Organization has announced the identification and arrest of at least 127 individuals in the provinces of East Azerbaijan, Kerman, and Mazandaran. The organization claims that these individuals, including media activists, Baha’i citizens, people affiliated with opposition groups, and “spy teams”, were involved in activities linked to what it described as “networks affiliated with foreign governments.”

According to a report by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the IRGC Intelligence Organization announced in a statement the arrest of dozens of individuals. The organization stated that “cells affiliated with the United States, Israel, and the United Kingdom” had been identified and “dismantled” in the provinces of East Azerbaijan, Kerman, and Mazandaran. In the statement, those arrested were accused of actions such as “network-building, espionage, market disruption, and planning unrest.”

According to the claims made, seven individuals were arrested in East Azerbaijan province for alleged connections with “monarchist” groups. In Mazandaran province, authorities reported the arrest of 69 individuals who, according to the organization, face accusations including ties to anti-government movements and so-called “economic mercenary” activities.

The report further states that the IRGC Intelligence Organization in Kerman province announced the identification and action taken against 51 individuals. It claimed that among them were three “spy teams” linked to foreign intelligence services, two groups of Baha’i citizens, a four-member “armed operational cell affiliated with monarchist groups,” and six media operatives connected to the “Iran International” network. According to the organization, these individuals were attempting to disrupt the market and organize unrest through contacts outside the country.

The statement also claimed that quantities of weapons and communication equipment were discovered at locations where these individuals were held.

As of the time of this report, no independent information has been released regarding the identities of those arrested, their place of detention, or the legal process of their cases. Additionally, despite the scale of the reported figures and the accusations made, no specific details have been provided regarding the evidence for these charges, the manner of the arrests, or the exact nature of their alleged connections.