Category: Religious Minorities

Report on the Arrest of Fifteen Members of an Iranian Religious Group

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News, Religious Minorities
Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, Alireza Akbari Arzati, Arman Feydabadi, Ghasem Yousefi Ramanti, Hamid Reza Yousefi, Maryam Naqshbandi, Mohammad Amin Nouri, Mohammad Hashem Bazarafshan, Mohammad Reza Shekarian Asl, Owais Akbari Arzati, Saeed Gudarzi, Special Clerical Court

In December 2022, fifteen members of a religious group called “Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light” were arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence agents and jailed in Evin Prison.

According to the reports obtained from multiple sources, these individuals were targeted and arrested due to their beliefs, deemed heretical to Shia beliefs by Iran’s regime. The arrests occurred on the 15th of December 2022, but it is unclear where the arrests took place.

Four individuals’ passports were confiscated at the airport while leaving the country. The detained individuals have been forced to sign a repentance letter, renouncing their faith and denouncing their leader.

These detained individuals, including two women and three minors, are:

1- Ghasem Yousefi Ramanti – from Babol – (his passport was seized at Imam Khomeini Airport on December 7)
2- Mohammad Reza Shekarian Asl, a resident of Tehran, was arrested for the second time.
3- Alireza Akbari Arzati
4- Owais Akbari Arzati
5- Maryam Naqshbandi
6- the 8-year-old child of Alireza Akbari Arzati and Maryam Naqshbandi
7- the 14-year-old son of Alireza Akbari Arzati and Maryam Naqshbandi
8- Saeed Gudarzi – (His passport was seized at Khomeini Airport on December 7)
9- Mohammad Hashem Bazarafshan- (His passport was seized at Khomeini Airport on December 7)
10-Hamid Reza Yousefi – (his passport was seized at Khomeini Airport on December 7)
11- Saba Sedaghat
12- Amir-Mahdi (last name is unknown)
13- Farzan (last name is unknown)
14- Mohammad Amin Nouri, 17 years old (detained in the correctional center)
15- Arman Feydabadi

Their legal cases have been delivered to the Special Clerical Court.

Ahmadi (officially: Ahmadi religion of peace and light, not confused with the Qadiani sect) are supporters of a religious movement that believes in “Imam Muhammad Mahdi and Imam Ahmad Al-Hassan”.

Iran’s security apparatus, the Ministry of Intelligence in particular, has formed special teams to target and prosecute a variety of religious, mystics and intellectual-religious communities whose beliefs diverge from the official interpretation of Shia Islam.

Every year, many people are summoned or arrested just for claims such as having a spiritual connection to the Twelfth Imam or propagating a different interpretation of Islam.

Baha’i Citizen Payam Vali Sentenced to 16 Years

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News, Religious Minorities
Alborz Revolutionary Court, Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, Payam Vali

The Alborz Revolutionary Court sentenced Baha’i citizen Payam Vali, imprisoned in Ghezel Hesar Prison, to 16 years imprisonment, pre-trial detention included. He was also banned from leaving the country for two years and sentenced to two years in exile in Yasuj.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Baha’i citizen Payam Vali was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

According to this verdict, Vali received ten years for “collaboration with hostile countries,” five years for “inciting people to commit violence,” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” As additional punishment, he was banned from leaving the country for two years and sentenced to a two-year compulsory residence in Yasuj County.

If the verdict is upheld on appeal, based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, ten years in prison for “collaboration with hostile countries”, will be enforceable.

On September 24, 2022, security forces arrested Vali at his house in Karaj, searched the house, and detained him in Rajai Shahr Prison. He was later relocated to Ghezel Hesar prison.

 

 

Two Sunni Clerics Arrested in Zahedan

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News, Religious Minorities
Abduraouf Rakhshani, Reza Rakhshani, Zahedan

On February 15, 2023, security forces arrested two Sunni clerics, Reza Rakhshani and Abduraouf Rakhshani, in Zahedan and took them to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Baloch Activists Campaign, on February 15, 2023, two Sunni clerics, serving in Makki Mosque of Zahedan, were arrested.

The reason for these arrests and their whereabouts are still unknown.

 

Report on the Release of Prisoners in the Last 24 Hours

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Aakbar Naeimi, Asrin Darkaleh, Esmail Gerami, Farshad Ahmadi, Forough Taghipour, Kazem Alinejad Baraloo, Khadijeh Mehdipour, Mahsa Mohammadi, Maryam Mohammadi, Mehdi Abbaspour, Mohammad Rasoulof, Mojtaba Tavakol, Mostafa Abdi, Shahrooz Ramezan Afshar, Soheila Ojaghi, Tohid Goreishi, Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb

In the past 24 hours, several prisoners of conscience were released from different prisons across Iran. Although details of these releases are still unknown, they are likely released under recent approval to “pardon and commute” the sentence of some prisoners.

Of these pardoned prisoners, the most known prisoners are:

  1. Film Director Mohammad Rasoulof from Evin Prison
  2. Azerbaijani (Turk) activist Akbar Naeimi from Evin Prison
  3. Gonabadi Dervish Mostafa Abdi from Evin Prison
  4. Political prisoner Forough Taghipour from Evin Prison
  5. Women rights activist Maryam Mohammadi from Evin Prison
  6. Women rights activist Asrin Darkaleh from Evin Prison
  7. Political prisoner Kazem Alinejad Baraloo Evin Prison
  8. Farshad Ahmadi from Evin Prison
  9. Political prisoner Khadijeh Mehdipour from Ilam Prison
  10. Mahsa Mohammadi from Isfahan Prison
  11. Tohid Goreishi from Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj
  12. Worker’s rights activist Esmail Gerami from Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj
  13. Political prisoner Mojtaba Tavakol from Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj
  14. Shahrooz Ramezan Afshar from Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj
  15. Mehdi Abbaspour from Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj
  16. Civil rights activist Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb from Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj
  17. Soheila Ojaghi from Qarchak Prison, Varamin

Moreover, the legal cases against Milad Alavi,(journalist), Elham Sayrafi and Amir Sheibani Zaveh were closed without further legal proceedings.

Earlier, the head of the Judiciary proposed the issuance of a pardon decree for some prisoners, including those arrested at recent protests, which was approved by Ali Khamenei under some conditions which the legal case should meet.

Report on the Release of Prisoners in the Last 24 Hours

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Freedom of Expression, News, Religious Minorities
Amir Mehdi Khadem, Arash Ganji, Besmellah Barahooie, Ebrahim Sargolzaie, Elmira Rahmani, Esmail Sargolzaie, Fariba Adelkhah, Fariba Afshar, Khaled Pirzadeh, mir Abbas Azarmvand, Mohammad-Reza Moradi, Naser Hemmati, Nasrollah Lashti, Niloofar Mirzaie Bafti, Zahra Kashkaki

Following the approval of a proposal to “pardon and commute” the sentence of some prisoners, in the last 24 hours, several prisoners of conscience were released from prison.

Of these pardoned prisoners, the most known prisoners are:

  1. Amir Mehdi Khadem from Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan
  2. Mohammad-Reza Moradi from Great Tehran Penitentiary
  3. Nasrollah Lashti from Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj
  4. Fariba Afshar (Baha’i citizen) from Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan
  5. Elmira Rahmani (Baha’i citizen) from Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan
  6. Niloofar Mirzaie Bafti from Evin Prison, Tehran
  7. Zahra Kashkaki from a prison in Tehran
  8. Naser Hemmati from a prison in Isfahan, and

Three underage prisoners, Besmellah Barahooie, Esmail Sargolzaie and Ebrahim Sargolzaie, were also released from the Correctional Center of Zahedan.

Details on these releases are still unknown. They are, however, likely released under the recent pardon decree issued for some prisoners, including those arrested at protests.

In recent days, other known prisoners, including Iranian-French academic Fariba Adelkhah, journalist Amir Abbas Azarmvand, writer Arash Ganji and political prisoner Khaled Pirzadeh, were released.

Meanwhile, the Revolutionary and Public Prosecutor of Gachsaran announced the release of 106 convicts and defendants from Dogonbadan Prison, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province.

“The sentences of 60 prisoners have also been commuted,” he added.

Also, The Chief Justice of Kerman Province announced that about 1500 prisoners have been released in this province.

Earlier, the head of the Judiciary proposed the issuance of a pardon decree for some prisoners, including those arrested at recent protests, which was approved by Ali Khamenei under some conditions which the legal case should meet.

 

 

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Eleven Baha’i Citizens Sentenced to a Total of 36 Years in Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Afif Naimi, Alborz province, Baha'i citizens, Elham Shareghi Arani, Mahsa Tirgar, Nakisa Sadeghi, Negin Rezaie, Rameleh Tirgarnejad, Sabin Yazdani, Sadaf Sheikhzadeh, Saman OstovarKamyar Habibi, Shahrzad Mastouri

The Karaj Revolutionary Court sentenced eleven Baha’i citizens, out of 13 defendants of one legal case, to over 36 years and additional punishments.

According to these verdicts, Afif Na’imi, Saman Ostovar, Kamyar Habibi, Rameleh Tirgarnejad, Mahsa Tirgar, Shahrzad Mastouri, Sadaf Sheikhzadeh, Negin Rezaie, Nakisa Sadeghi, Elham Shareghi Arani and Sabin Yazdani, to 36 years for “insulting and propaganda against Islamic Sharia, forming and participating in groups to act against national security through teaching and preaching the Baha’i faith to children in Kindergartens, promoting against Islamic Sharia through holding coaching courses” They have also been fined and banned from residing in Alborz province, leaving the country and other social deprivations.

The jail sentences against these individuals go as follows:

  1. Afif Na’imi-seven years
  2. Saman Ostovar-five years
  3. Kamyar Habibi- five years
  4. Rameleh Tirgarnejad (Habibi’s wife)- three years
  5. Mahsa Tirgar-25 months
  6. Shahrzad Mastouri-25 months
  7. Sadaf Sheikhzadeh-25 months
  8. Negin Rezaie-25 months
  9. Nakisa Sadeghi-25 months
  10. Elham Shareghi Arani-three years
  11. Sabin Yazdani-three years

The details of the verdicts against two other defendants in this case, including Sahba Adiani are still unknown.

These individuals were arrested during the summer of last year and their houses were searched.
Although it is unknown which acts have been invoked as examples of the charges mentioned above, they seem to have been convicted of educational activities for children, especially preschool children.

Baha’i Citizen Sepehr Ziaei Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Evin Prison, Sepehr Ziaei

The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced jailed Baha’i citizen Sepehr Ziaei to five years and banned him from leaving the country for two years. The court also ordered the seizure of some of his belongings.

According to this verdict, Ziaei was sentenced to five years for “membership in illegal groups to disrupt national security.” As additional punishment, he was banned from leaving the country for two years, and his cell phone and laptops were seized.

On September 24, 2022, security forces arrested Ziaei at his home in Tehran and jailed him in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. The agents also searched his house and confiscated some of his belonging.

An informed source told HRANA that “last year, Ziaei started his treatment after an ear stroke. However, this arrest interrupted his treatment, and now he has lost a major part of his hearing power.”

According to the HRANA Annual Statistical Report of Human Rights Conditions in Iran, in 2022, 64% of the entire reports on the violation of religious minorities’ rights are about harassment, prosecution and conviction against Baha’is.

According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian Constitution recognizes only Islam as the official religion, in addition to Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Bahai faith is not considered legitimate by the authorities, and the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

Baha’i Citizen Elmira Rahmani Arrested in Isfahan

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Elmira Rahmani, Isfahan

On January 16, security forces arrested Baha’i citizen Elmira Rahmani at her home in Isfahan and took her to an undisclosed location. The agents searched the house and confiscated some of her belonging.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on January 16, 2023, Baha’i citizen Elmira Rahmani was arrested in Isfahan.

Rahmani, age 28, is a resident of Isfahan and a professional musician.

The location where she is held and the allegation are still unknown.

According to the HRANA Annual Statistical Report of Human Rights Conditions in Iran, in 2022, 64% of the entire reports on the violation of religious minorities’ rights are about harassment, prosecution and conviction against Baha’is.

According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian Constitution recognizes only Islam as the official religion, in addition to Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Bahai faith is not considered legitimate by the authorities, and the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

Baha’i Citizen Nabil Movafaghi Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities

On Thursday, January 12, security forces arrested Baha’i citizen Nabil Movafaghi, a resident of Sari, at his relatives’ house in Gonbad-e Kavus, Golestan Province. The agents searched the house, confiscated some of his belongings, and took him to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on January 12, 2023, Baha’i Nabil Movafaghi was arrested in Gonbad-e Kavus, Golestan Province.

Movafaghi is 24 years old and a resident of Sari, Mazandaran Province.

The reason for his arrest and the allegations are still unknown.

According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian Constitution recognizes only Islam as the official religion, in addition to Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Bahai faith is not considered legitimate by the authorities, and the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

 

Iranian Jewish Citizen El Nathan Masih Israelian Released from Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Religious Minorities
El Nathan Masih Israelian, Evin Prison, Iranian Jewish Citizen

On January 7, 2023, Iranian Jewish citizen Elnathan Masih Israelian was released on bail from Evin Prison. In Late October 2022, security forces arrested him.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, an Iranian Jewish citizen, identified by HRANA as Elnathan Masih Israelian was released on bail.

The reason, the charges for Israelian’s arrest and the security intelligence responsible for his arrest are still unknown. However, in early November, Kaan News Agency reported the arrest of three Jewish-Iranian individuals during nationwide protests. Israelian is likely one of the three people mentioned in Kaan’s report.

Due to the Iranian regime’s hostility to Israel, the Iranian Jewish community is living in constant fear of vindictive prosecution from the regime. Consequently, since the 1979 revolution, the Jewish community population has been reduced from one hundred thousand to below ten thousand.