Category: Religious Minorities

Court of Appeals: Five Christian Converts Sentenced to 41 Years and 10 Months in Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Abolfazl Ahmadzadeh Khajani, Hesamoddin Mohammad Joneydi, HRANA, Morteza Faghanpour Sasi, Varamin

HRANA – The convictions of five Christian converts, including Hesamoddin (Yahya) Mohammad Joneydi, Morteza (Kalvin) Faghanpour Sasi, and Abolfazl (Benjamin) Ahmadzadeh Khajani, were upheld by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals. These converts had previously been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Varamin to a total of 41 years and 10 months in prison.

Based on a ruling issued by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals on September 17 and recently delivered to the defendants, Hesamoddin (Yahya) Mohammad Jonidi, Abolfazl (Benjamin) Ahmadzadeh Khajani, and two other Christian converts who requested anonymity, were each sentenced to eight years and one month in prison. Morteza (Kalvin) Faghanpour Sassi received a sentence of eight years and eleven months in prison.

The breakdown of Morteza (Kalvin) Faghanpour Sasi’s sentence is as follows: seven years and six months in prison for “deviant educational and proselytizing activities contrary to and disruptive of Islamic Sharia law in connection with contacts abroad”, seven months for “propaganda against the regime”, and 17 months for “insulting the Supreme Leader.”

Meanwhile, Hesamoddin (Yahya) Mohammad Jonidi, Abolfazl (Benjamin) Ahmadzadeh Khajani, and the two unnamed Christian converts were each sentenced to seven years and six months in prison on the charge of “deviant educational and proselytizing activities contrary to and disruptive of Islamic Sharia law in connection with contacts abroad”, plus seven months in prison for “propaganda against the regime.”

The initial ruling against them had been issued on July 16 by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Varamin, presided over by Judge Ashkan Ramesh.

According to information obtained by HRANA, the charges were based on accusations such as the illegal distribution of Christian books, participation in several online universities abroad for studies and training in evangelism and Christian teachings, and the publication of a caricature of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic on social media.

It should be noted that another part of the case, concerning the charge of “insulting the sacred,” has been referred to Branch 104 of the Criminal Court Two of Varamin, presided over by Judge Mohammad Hossein Esmail Morineh. A hearing on this charge is scheduled for October 7.

Faghanpour , a Christian convert from Varamin, was arrested by security forces on June 13 and transferred to Evin Prison. Following his arrest, agents searched his home and confiscated books, religious images, and his mobile phone. He was later released temporarily after posting two salary slips as bail.

Hesamoddin (Yahya) Mohammad Jonidi, 45 years old, was arrested by security forces in November 2024 and taken to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. He was eventually released after posting bail of 1.5 billion tomans.

Morteza Faghanpour, Christian Convert, Sentenced to 8 Years and 11 Months in Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Ahmad Zargar, Ashkan Ramesh, Morteza Faghanpour Sasi, Varamin

HRANA – Morteza Faghanpour Sasi, a Christian convert from Varamin, has been sentenced by Branch 1 of the city’s Revolutionary Court to eight years and eleven months in prison.

The verdict, issued on July 16 by Judge Ashkan Ramesh, includes seven years and six months in prison on the charge of “educational and promotional activities deemed deviant and contrary to Islamic Sharia, in connection with foreign countries.” He was also given an additional 17 months for insulting the Supreme Leader. Following his appeal, the case has been referred to Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals, presided over by Judge Ahmad Zargar.

A source close to the Faghanpour family told HRANA: “Evidence presented against him included the alleged illegal distribution of Christian literature, enrollment in several online foreign universities to study evangelism, and publishing a caricature of the Supreme Leader on social media.”

HRANA has also learned that a separate part of his case, concerning the charge of insulting sacred beliefs, has been referred to Branch 104 of the Criminal Court II in Varamin, presided over by Judge Mohammad Hossein Esmail Morineh. The trial on this charge is scheduled for October 7.

Morteza (Calvin) Faghanpour Sasi, son of Abbas, was arrested on June 14 by security forces and transferred to Evin Prison. After his arrest, agents searched his residence and confiscated books, religious images, and his mobile phone.

He spent one month under interrogation in Ward 240 of Evin Prison, followed by 20 days in Ward 209. Unable to post bail, he remained for four months in Ward 8 before being temporarily released after providing two salary slips.

It should be noted that HRANA recently reported on the sentencing of Hesamoddin (Yahya) Mohammad Joneydi, another Christian convert from Varamin and a co-defendant in this case, who received eight years and one month in prison.

Paria Marandiz, Baha’i Citizen, Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison and Additional Punishment

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i, HRANA, Paria Marandiz, Tehran

HRANA – Paria Marandiz, a Baha’i citizen, has been sentenced by Branch 23 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to three years in prison along with a two-year ban on using social media. Part of her sentence has been suspended.

According to information obtained by HRANA, Ms. Marandiz was convicted on charges of “propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran during the 12-day war” and “propaganda in support of the Israeli regime.” In addition to the prison term, the court imposed a two-year prohibition on her online activity.

Based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe charge—propaganda in support of the Israeli regime—will be enforced, meaning she must serve two years in prison. The remaining 18 months of her sentence have been suspended for five years.

Her trial was held on September 22 at Branch 23 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. Earlier, on August 16, she was interrogated at Branch 3 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of District 33 in Tehran. She was subsequently released on bail set at 3.5 billion tomans.

Marandiz had previously been summoned by the Ministry of Intelligence on June 20, July 1, and July 13, during which she was interrogated for several hours on each occasion.

On June 17, security forces briefly detained her. At the time of her arrest, her home was searched, and agents confiscated personal belongings belonging to her and her family, including books, religious photographs, laptops, and mobile phones.

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.

A Christian Convert Sentenced to Over Eight Years in Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Evin Prison, Hesamoddin Mohammad Joneydi, Varamin

HRANA – Hesamoddin (Yahya) Mohammad Joneydi, a Christian convert residing in Varamin, has been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in this city to eight years and one month in prison.

According to Mohabat News, this Christian convert was sentenced by Branch 1 of the Varamin Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Ashkan Ramesh, to seven years and six months in prison for “propaganda activities contrary to Islamic law due to ties with foreign countries,” and an additional seven months for “propaganda against the regime.”

According to the report, the charges against Mohammad Joneydi included participating in Christian training courses abroad (in Turkey), attending online and house churches, and promoting Christianity both online and in person.

Mohammad Joneydi, age 45, was arrested by security forces in October-November 2024 and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

He was later released after posting bail set at 1.5 billion tomans.

Based on about 180 reports compiled by HRANA over the past decade, 11% of all victims of religious minority rights violations by Iran’s security-judicial apparatus were Christians—particularly Christian converts. In 2024 alone, Christians made up over 9% of those targeted.

Ongoing Detention: Baha’i Citizen Keyhan Maghsoudi Remains in Limbo

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News, Religious Minorities
irgc, Keyhan Maghsoudi, Keyhan Maqsoudi, Urmia prison

HRANA – Baha’i citizen Keyhan Maghsoudi, a resident of Urmia, remains in limbo 85 days after his arrest, currently held in one of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) detention facilities in the city.

A source close to his family told HRANA: “Mr. Maghsoudi has been held in detention for 85 days without clarity about his case. He was initially kept in a security detention center in Urmia. On September 4, he was transferred to Urmia Prison, but two days later was returned to an IRGC detention facility for further interrogation. Since his arrest, his family has only been allowed two brief visits, and he continues to be denied access to legal counsel.”

Mr. Maghsoudi was arrested on Friday, June 20, 2025, during the 12-day Iran-Israel war, by security forces at his workplace. Following his arrest, he was transferred between Urmia’s security detention centers and Urmia Prison multiple times. About a month after his arrest, security forces also confiscated his personal vehicle.

As of the time of this report, the reasons for his arrest and the charges against him remain unknown.

Keyhan Maghsoudi, 49, is unmarried and works as a photographer and filmmaker in Urmia. A nature enthusiast, he has collaborated on numerous cinema and television projects.

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 Keyhan Maghsoudi Held in Incommunicado Detention After Over Two Months

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News, Religious Minorities
Keyhan Maghsoudi, Keyhan Maqsoudi, Urmia, کیهان مقصودی

HRANA – Keyhan Maghsoudi, a Baha’i citizen from Urmia, was arrested by security forces in June 2025. After undergoing interrogation, he was transferred to Urmia Prison. In recent days, however, he has once again been moved to a security detention facility.

On Friday, June 20, 2025, amid the 12-day war between Iran and Israel, Maghsoudi was arrested by security forces at his workplace. He was initially taken to a security detention center in Urmia and, after a period of interrogation, transferred to Urmia Prison. Recently, he was returned from the prison to an undisclosed security facility, leaving his family with no information about his condition or whereabouts.

Speaking to HRANA, his sister, Mahsa Maghsoudi, confirmed the developments, stating: “We still have no information about the status of my brother’s case or the charges against him. Throughout this time, Keyhan has been held without access to an independent lawyer, which raises serious concerns about the possibility of forced confessions under pressure or torture. Such confessions have no legal or human validity.”

She added: “So far, no official information has been provided about the judicial process, and our concerns about the future of his case and the likelihood of a fair trial are growing day by day.”

Keyhan Maghsoudi, 49, is single and works as a photographer and videographer in Urmia.

Shahram Fallah, Baha’i Citizen, Arrested in Kerman

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizens, HRANA, Kerman, Shahram Fallah

HRANA – On the evening of Monday, August 18, 2025, Shahram Fallah, a 64-year-old Baha’i citizen of Kerman, was arrested at his home by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence and transferred to that agency’s detention facility.

A source close to the family told HRANA: “Intelligence agents in Kerman came to Mr. Fallah’s home that evening and arrested him while several guests were present. They confiscated the mobile phones of family members and guests, along with a number of Mr. Fallah’s religious books and images. Since his arrest, he has not contacted his family.”

The reasons for his arrest and the charges against him remain unknown.

Mr. Fallah has previously faced judicial harassment, arrest, and imprisonment.

Recently, HRANA published a statistical report on the widespread human rights violations against Baha’i citizens in Iran over the past five years.

Iran’s State TV Airs Forced Confessions of Christian Converts

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News, Religious Minorities
Ameneh-Sadat Zabihpour, HRANA, IRIB

HRANA– Following the arrest of a group of Christian converts, IRIB’s 20:30 news program aired a propaganda documentary featuring security-related accusations and forced confessions from some of the detainees. This move is part of an ongoing campaign of case fabrication and pressure against Christian citizens in Iran.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, after the recent statement by the Ministry of Intelligence of the Islamic Republic regarding the arrest of a group of Christians, IRIB Channel 2 produced and broadcast a documentary centered on fabricating security cases against Christian converts.

The documentary, produced with the participation of Ameneh Sadat Zabihpour, a well-known IRIB figure linked to security agencies, presents a security-driven narrative. It levels accusations against Christian converts – referred to in the program as “Evangelists” – including alleged ties to foreign entities, participation in religious camps abroad, collaboration with opposition groups, and attempts to undermine national security.

The reporter frames activities such as traveling to Turkey, attending the “Armenia Camp,” communicating with Zionists, and planning attacks on “sensitive sites” in Iran as evidence of security threats, thereby portraying religious and personal activities as criminal.

In the final part of the documentary, footage was shown of detained individuals presented as suspects, who appeared under unknown circumstances making confessions. These confessions were recorded and broadcast under pressure or threats from security agencies. Images of what was described as “a shipment of weapons” were also displayed, without any independent evidence or documentation to substantiate the claim.

The Islamic Republic’s use of forced confessions and televised documentaries to legitimize repression of religious minorities and dissidents has long been condemned by human rights organizations. Broadcasting such confessions is a blatant violation of defendants’ rights, including the right to a fair trial.

The release of this documentary comes amid intensifying security and psychological pressure on Iran’s Christian community and efforts to create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. In recent years, many Christian converts have faced similar charges and have been handed heavy sentences, including imprisonment, exile, or social deprivation.

Previously, the Ministry of Intelligence announced in a statement that at least 53 Christian converts had been arrested during the so-called “12-Day War” operation.

In 2024, HRANA documented 28 cases of forced confessions extracted from prisoners. The practice of obtaining and broadcasting coerced confessions from political dissidents and protesters by the Iranian regime’s security apparatus is as old as the regime itself. In 2022, amid nationwide protests, the number of such forced confessions surged to 391 cases.

Appeals Court Upholds 38 Years and 11 Months of Imprisonment for Six Baha’i Women

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News, Religious Minorities
Atefeh Zahedi, Farideh Ayoubi, Neda Mohebi, Noora Ayoubi, Zarrindokht Ahadzadeh, Zhaleh Rezaei

HRANA– The prison sentences of six Baha’i women residing in Hamedan, have been fully upheld by Branch 11 of the Hamedan Appeals Court. In the initial stage, they had been sentenced by the Hamedan Revolutionary Court to a combined total of 38 years and 11 months in prison.

The sentences of Neda Mohebi, Atefeh Zahedi, Farideh Ayoubi, Noora Ayoubi, Zarrindokht Ahadzadeh, and Zhaleh Rezaei were upheld on August 12 by Branch 11 of the Hamedan Appeals Court. The ruling was issued without scheduling a hearing, without informing the lawyers about a session, and under the advisement of Bahram Karari and Morteza Ramezani. Membership in the Baha’i community and “teaching and propagating against Sharia” were among the charges brought against them.

In June this year, following their initial trial, Branch 2 of the Hamedan Revolutionary Court sentenced Neda Mohebi to five years in prison for “teaching and propagating against Sharia” and two years and eight months for “membership in the Baha’i community.” Three years of her prison sentence were suspended for five years.

Atefeh Zahedi, Farideh Ayoubi, Noura Ayoubi, Zarindokht Ahadzadeh, and Zhaleh Rezaei were each sentenced to two years and eight months for “membership in the Baha’i community” and three years and seven months for “teaching and propagating against Sharia.” Two years of the sentences of Noora Ayoubi, Ahadzadeh, and Rezaei were suspended for five years.

These citizens had previously been released in December 2023 on bail. They were arrested on November 7, 2023, by security forces and transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Hamedan.

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.

53 Christians Arrested in Iran After 12-Day War with Israel

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News, Religious Minorities
HRANA, Iranian Christians

HRANA – Official media outlets have announced that following the 12-day war between Iran and Israel, 53 Christian citizens have been arrested in Iran. The arrests were carried out under allegations of “collaborating with Israel.”

According to HRANA, quoting Hamshahri, since the start of the 12-day Iran-Israel war, 53 Christian citizens have been arrested. The report claims that the arrests of these citizens are connected to the 12-day war between Israel and Iran.

It also alleges that these individuals were “followers of a branch of Christianity and had collaborated with Israel.”

No further details, including the identities of those arrested or the location of their detention, have been provided in the report.

Based on about 180 reports compiled by HRANA over the past decade, 11% of all victims of religious minority rights violations by Iran’s security-judicial apparatus were Christians—particularly Christian converts. In 2024, Christians made up over 9% of those targeted.