Category: Religious Minorities

Baháʼís in Iran: Nine Homes Raided and Seven Citizens Arrested in a Single Day

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News, Religious Minorities
Adib Rahmani, Armaghan Enayati, Baháʼí community, Fahim Agahi, Hengameh Sharifi, HRANA, Matin Agahi, Negar Misaghian, Shakib Farzan

HRANA – In a new wave of security and judicial pressure against members of the Baháʼí community in Iran, on Monday, October 20, the homes of at least nine Baháʼí citizens in Tehran, Shiraz, Semnan, Zahedan, and Sari were raided by security forces.

Seven Baháʼí citizens, identified as Fahim Agahi, Matin Agahi, Hengameh Sharifi, Adib Rahmani, Negar Misaghian, Shakib Farzan, and Armaghan Enayati, were arrested.

According to HRANA, security forces carried out coordinated operations targeting Baháʼí citizens across several cities. In addition to the seven arrests, the homes of Saman Eslami in Zahedan and Aruna Kowsari in Tehran were also searched.

Security agents reportedly conducted full searches of the residences, seizing electronic equipment, communication devices, books, and personal belongings. Eyewitnesses said the raids were carried out in an atmosphere of intimidation and fear.

According to HRANA’s earlier report, Negar Misaghian and Mahboob Habibi were transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility (Plaque 100) in Shiraz following their arrest. The location of the other detainees remains unknown.

The reasons for the arrests and the charges against these seven Baháʼí citizens have not yet been disclosed, and HRANA continues to investigate.

Negar Misaghian and Mahboob Habibi have previously faced arrest and judicial harassment for their faith and related activities. Armaghan Enayati and Adib Rahmani were previously expelled from Iranian universities due to their Baháʼí beliefs.

These raids and arrests come amid an ongoing pattern of systematic persecution of Baháʼí citizens across Iran. In recent months, Baháʼís in various cities have faced repeated waves of arrest, property confiscation, business closures, and social exclusion under vague and recurring accusations such as “propaganda against the regime,” “acting against national security,” and “membership in an illegal group.”

Over the past decade, the Iranian Bahá’í community has been disproportionately targeted by Iran’s security forces and judiciary—more than any other minority group. In the past three years, an average of 72 percent of the reports on religious rights violations collected by HRANA have documented the Iranian regime’s repression of the Bahá’í community.

Arrest of Four Followers of the “Yamani” Movement

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News, Religious Minorities
and Abbas Fathiyeh, Hadi Gharadaghi, Mahdism, Mohammad-Reza Atoof, Seyed Hamed Miri, Yamani

HRANA – Seyed Hamed Miri, Hadi Gharadaghi, Mohammad-Reza Atoof, and Abbas Fathiyeh, followers of the “Yamani” movement, have been arrested by security forces and transferred to prison.

According to a report by Entekhab News, these individuals were serving prison sentences but had been released on furlough and failed to return to prison after their leave ended.

As of this report’s publication, no information has been obtained regarding their exact place of detention or the duration of their sentences.

Seyed Hamed Miri, Hadi Gharadaghi, and Abbas Fathiyeh have previously faced arrest and conviction in connection with their activities.

In Iran, individuals are frequently detained for claiming spiritual or religious connections to the Hidden Imam, a central figure in Shi’a Islam. The “Yamani” movement, led by Ahmad al-Hasan Yamani, promotes beliefs centered on Mahdism, a messianic doctrine within Shi’a Islam.

Iran’s security apparatus – particularly the Ministry of Intelligence – maintains specialized units tasked with suppressing religious, spiritual, and ideological groups that operate outside the state-sanctioned framework.

Urmia: Baha’i Citizen Zhinus Mohammad-Nezhad Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, HRANA, Urmia, Zhinus Mohammad-Nezhad, ژینوس محمد نژاد

HRANA – On Tuesday, October 14, Zhinus Mohammad-Nezhad, a Baha’i citizen residing in Urmia, was arrested by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence and transferred to an undisclosed location. At the same time, her home and her parents’ residence were searched by the agents.

Based on information obtained by HRANA, her arrest took place on Tuesday, October 14, at her home on in Urmia, when Ministry of Intelligence agents detained her. Simultaneously, both her home and her elderly parents’ nearby residence were searched. During the searches, several personal belongings of the Mohammad-Nezhad family were confiscated.

So far, no information has been made available regarding the reasons for her arrest, her place of detention, or the charges brought against this Baha’i citizen.

Over the past decade, the Iranian Bahá’í community has been disproportionately targeted by Iran’s security forces and judiciary, more than any other minority group. In the past three years, an average of 72 percent of the reports on religious rights violations collected by HRANA have documented the Iranian regime’s repression of the Bahá’í community.

Afshin Haghighat, a Baha’i Citizen, Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities
Afshin Haghighat, Baha'i citizen, Shiraz, افشین حقیقت

HRANA – On October 14, Afshin Haghighat, a Baha’i citizen residing in Shiraz, was arrested by security forces in the city and transferred to an undisclosed location. At the same time, his home was searched by agents, who confiscated several digital devices and religious books belonging to Mr. Haghighat and his family.

A source close to Haghighat’s family confirmed the arrest to HRANA, stating:
“On Tuesday, security agents came to the home of this Baha’i citizen in Shiraz and arrested him. His residence was simultaneously searched, and during the search, a number of digital devices and religious books belonging to him and his family were confiscated.”

As of this report, no information is available regarding the reasons for the arrest, his place of detention, or the charges brought against this Baha’i citizen.

Over the past decade, the Iranian Bahá’í community has been disproportionately targeted by Iran’s security forces and judiciary, more than any other minority group. In the past three years, an average of 72 percent of the reports on religious rights violations collected by HRANA have documented the Iranian regime’s repression of the Bahá’í community.

Baha’i Citizen Fardin Bengaleh Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities
Fardin Bengaleh, فردین بنگاله

HRANA – On Tuesday, October 14, Fardin Bengaleh, a Baha’i citizen residing in Shiraz, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to a report received by HRANA, Mr. Bengaleh was arrested in Shiraz by security forces on Tuesday, October 14. So far, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest, the location of his detention, or the charges brought against him.

Fardin Bengaleh is a Baha’i citizen living in Shiraz.

Over the past decade, the Iranian Bahá’í community has been disproportionately targeted by Iran’s security forces and judiciary, more than any other minority group. In the past three years, an average of 72 percent of the reports on religious rights violations collected by HRANA have documented the Iranian regime’s repression of the Bahá’í community.

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Baha’i Citizen Sonia Toudiee Arrested in Babol

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News, Religious Minorities
Babol, HRANA, Sonia Toudiee, سونیا تودیعی

HRANA – On Sunday, October 12, Sonia Toudiee, a Baha’i citizen residing in Babol, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

Based on information obtained by HRANA, Ms. Toudiee was detained on the evening of Sunday, October 12, in Babol County. At the time of her arrest, security agents searched her residence, seizing a number of her personal belongings.

As of this report’s publication, the reasons for her arrest, her current whereabouts, and the charges against her remain unknown.

Previously, on May 17, 2025, Ms. Toudiee’s home was searched by security forces.

Sonia Toudiee is a Baha’i citizen residing in Babol, Mazandaran Province.

Over the past decade, the Iranian Bahá’í community has been disproportionately targeted by Iran’s security forces and judiciary—more than any other minority group. In the past three years, an average of 72 percent of the reports on religious rights violations collected by HRANA have documented the Iranian regime’s repression of the Bahá’í community.

Appeals Court: Baha’i Citizen Maryam Zabihi Sentenced to Imprisonment

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha’i Institute for Higher Education, Bahais, BIHE, Maryam Zabihi, Qaemshahr

HRANA – The prison sentence of Maryam Zabihi, a Baha’i citizen residing in Qaemshahr, has been reduced by the Mazandaran Province Court of Appeals to three months and one day. She had initially been sentenced to ten months in prison by a lower court.

According to Hyrkani news, Ms. Zabihi’s ten-month prison sentence was reduced to three months and one day by the Mazandaran Province Court of Appeals in late September.

The initial verdict against Ms. Zabihi was issued by Branch 104 of the Qaemshahr Criminal Court (Category Two) on the charge of “educational activities contrary to and disruptive of the sacred Islamic law.”

The charge reportedly stemmed from holding university examination sessions for students of the Baha’i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) at her private residence. It is worth noting that, since Baha’is are denied access to higher education in Iran, this unofficial university was established by members of the Baha’i community to provide Baha’i students with access to higher education.

On Monday, February 12, 2024, security agents searched Maryam Zabihi’s home, seizing all electronic devices, textbooks, laptops, and tablets belonging to five Baha’i youths who were present at the time.

Over the past decade, the Iranian Bahá’í community has been disproportionately targeted by Iran’s security forces and judiciary—more than any other minority group. In the past three years, an average of 72 percent of the reports on religious rights violations collected by HRANA have documented the Iranian regime’s repression of the Bahá’í community.

Nahid Behroozi, a Baha’i Citizen, Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, HRANA, Kachouei Prison, Karaj Revolutionary Court, Nahid Behroozi, ناهید بهروزی

HRANA – Nahid Behroozi (Forouhari), a Baha’i citizen residing in Karaj, has been sentenced to five years in prison and additional penalties by Branch 4 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court.

According to the verdict, which was recently issued and officially communicated to her on Monday, October 6, 2025 (14 Mehr 1403), Ms. Behroozi was sentenced to five years of imprisonment under Article 500 (repeated) of the Islamic Penal Code for “educational or proselytizing activities deemed deviant and contrary to or disruptive of the sacred religion of Islam.”

In addition to the prison term, the court imposed complementary punishments, including ten years’ deprivation of social rights and the confiscation of her seized belongings—such as electronic devices and religious books.

Ms. Behroozi was arrested on July 29, 2024, by agents of the Fardis branch of the Ministry of Intelligence while on a street in Karaj. Following her arrest, security agents searched her home. After completing interrogation at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, she was transferred to Kachouei Prison on August 15, 2024. She was released from Kachouei Prison on October 1, 2024, upon posting bail.

Appeal Court Upholds 25-Year Prison Sentence for Baha’i Citizen Rouya Sabet

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News, Religious Minorities
Adelabad Prison, Baha'i citizen, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Rouya Sabet, Shiraz, رویا ثابت

HRANA – The 25-year prison sentence of Rouya Sabet, a Baha’i citizen residing in Shiraz, has been upheld in full by Branch 37 of the Fars Province Court of Appeals.

The ruling, issued on September 23 by the appellate court, has since been officially communicated to Ms. Sabet. According to the verdict, she received 10 years in prison for each of the charges of “collaboration and communication with Israeli nationals and institutions” and “forming and running a group with the intent to act against national security.” She was also sentenced to five years in prison for “religious propaganda activity contrary to the Sharia of Islam.”

As complementary punishments, Ms. Sabet was handed a two-year travel ban (including passport cancellation), five years’ deprivation of social rights, and a ban on online activity.

The verdict is final. Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the heaviest sentence, 10 years of imprisonment, will be enforceable.

On May 28, 2024, Branch 1 of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court had initially sentenced Ms. Sabet to 25 years in prison along with additional penalties on the same charges.

Rouya Sabet, a Baha’i citizen residing in the United Arab Emirates, was summoned and arrested by the IRGC Intelligence Organization in Shiraz on February 15, 2024, while visiting the city. She was released approximately five months later from Adelabad Prison in Shiraz after posting bail.

Appeals Court Upholds 90-Year Combined Prison Sentence for 10 Baha’i Women in Isfahan

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News, Religious Minorities
Arezu Sabhanian, Bahareh Lotfi, HRANA, Mojgan Shahrezaei, Neda Badakhsh, Negin Khademi, Parastoo Hakim, Shana Shoughifar, Yeganeh Agahi, Yeganeh Roohbakhsh

HRANA – The convictions of Negin Khademi, Yeganeh Agahi, Yeganeh Roohbakhsh, Neda Badakhsh, Mojgan Shahrezaei, Shana Shoughifar, Arezoo Sobhanian, Parastoo Hakim, Bahareh Lotfi, and Neda Emadi, ten Baha’i women living in Isfahan, have been upheld in full by Branch 47 of the Isfahan Court of Appeals.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the women were initially sentenced by the Isfahan Revolutionary Court to a combined 90 years in prison, along with fines and complementary punishments, which have now been confirmed on appeal.

The ruling, issued on September 28, 2025, was delivered to their defense attorney. According to the verdict, the women were convicted of “propaganda against the Islamic Republic” and “participation in deviant promotional and educational activities contrary to Islamic law.” These charges were based on activities such as organizing English, art, music, and yoga classes, and nature trips for children and teenagers, including both Iranian and Afghan participants.

Collectively, they were sentenced to 90 years in prison, 900 million tomans in fines, confiscation of property in favor of the state, and two-year bans on travel abroad and use of social media. Parts of the prison terms and fines were suspended.

A source close to the families told HRANA: “The appeals court session was held without prior notice and in the absence of the defendants. The verdict was issued in absentia and only communicated to their lawyer. The court labeled the case as ‘security-related and confidential.’”

In the initial trial held in October 2024, Yeganeh Agahi, Yeganeh Roohbakhsh, and Negin Khademi each received 10 years in prison and 100 million tomans in fines, with one-third of the sentences suspended. Neda Badakhsh, Mojgan Shahrezaei, Shana Shoughifar, Parastoo Hakim, and Arezoo Sobhanian received similar sentences, with half of the imprisonment and fines suspended.

Neda Emadi and Bahareh Lotfi were each sentenced to five years in prison and 50 million tomans in fines, with four years of the prison term and half of the fine suspended.

As complementary punishments, all ten women were sentenced to the confiscation of seized belongings—including phones, laptops, digital devices, foreign currency, gold, and jewelry – two-year travel bans, and two-year bans on using social media.

The ten Baha’i women were arrested on October 23, 2023, by security forces in Isfahan and released on bail within two months from Dolatabad Prison. During detention, they reportedly endured psychological torture and threats of physical torture.

Yeganeh Agahi had previously been arrested before this case. Yeganeh Roohbakhsh, who was 19 years old at the time of her arrest, is the daughter of Arezoo Sobhanian, another defendant in the case.