Category: Religious Minorities

Four Christian Converts Arrested by IRGC Intelligence Agents

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Ahmad Sarparast, Ayoub Pourrezazadeh, Babak Hossein-Zadeh, Behnam Akhlaghi, Iranian Christians, IRGC intelligence agents, Morteza Hajeb Mashhood-Kari

On Sunday, May 8, 2022, IRGC intelligence agents arrested four Christian converts, Behnam Akhlaghi, Babak Hossein-Zadeh, Ayoub Pourreza-Zadeh, and Ahmad Sarparast in Rasht City, and transferred them to an unidentified location. Security agents’ attempt to arrest Morteza Hajeb Mashhoud failed as he was not at his home.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Sunday, May 8, 2022, four Christian converts were arrested by IRGC intelligence agents in Rasht.

Attorney Iman Soleimani told HRANA, “the authorities informed Mr. Hajeb Mashhoud that he would be arrested if he failed to come to the IRGC Intelligence’s Office. When he appeared at the office, he found out that a new legal case  had been opened against all the individuals.”

Behnam Akhlaghi, Babak Hossein-Zadeh had faced other arrests and convictions. Earlier, Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced them to five years imprisonment on the charge of “acting against national security and promotion of Evangelical Christianity and Zionism”.  In March of 2022, the Branch 34 of the Court of Appeals acquitted them of the charges.

In April of 2022, Ahmad Sarparast, Ayoub Pourrezazadeh and Morteza Hajeb Mashhood-Kari were sentenced to five years imprisonment on the charges of “holding home church services, propaganda against the regime, association with Zionism and Branhamist sect”. They have also been fined in the amount of 18 million tomans. On May 23 of this year, Branch 18 of the Court of Appeal of Gilan Province will hold the first session to re-examine their case.

Despite the fact that Christians are recognized as a religious minority under Iranian law, security forces harass and prosecute Muslims who convert to Christianity.

The prosecution of Christian converts stands in blatant violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which state that every individual has the right to freedom of religion and belief and freedom to express it openly or secretly.

 

Three Iranian Christians Sentenced to Imprisonment

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Abbas Soori, Anoushavan Avodian, Christian Citizen, home church, Maryam Mohammadi

Recently the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Christian Citizen Anoushavan Avodian to 10 years imprisonment, a fine and additional social restrictions. In this legal case, two other Christian converts, Abbas Soori and Maryam Mohammadi were fined 50 million tomans and sentenced to additional social restrictions.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Anoushavan Avodian, Abbas Soori and Maryam Mohammadi to imprisonment, fines and other social restrictions.

According to the verdict issued by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, headed by Judge Afshari, Anoushavan Avodian was sentenced to 10 years in prison, paying a fine and restrictions of rights for 10 years. Abbas Soori and Maryam Mohammadi were fined 50 million tomans, prohibited from membership in political groups, and banned from leaving the country and residing in Tehran Province and neighboring provinces. Also, they are ordered to appear once every three weeks at the Supervision and Follow-up office of the Judiciary for two years.

The above individuals have been convicted on the charge of “organizing and running evangelical “Zionist” home church with the intention to act against national security,” and ” maintaining satellite dish and receivers.”

Their Attorney Iman Soleimani told HRANA: “All arguments provided by the defence lawyer in the court have been ignored and the verdict has been issued based on the judicial officers’ workflow.”

The prosecution of Christian converts stands in blatant violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which state that every individual has the right to freedom of religion and belief and freedom to express it openly or secretly.

Baha’is Cemetery in Hamedan Partly Demolished

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Baha'is Cemetery, Hamedan

Recently, a Baha’is cemetery in Hamedan Province was partly demolished overnight. As a result of provoking anti-Baha’i sentiments by the Iranian officials, Baha’i citizens’ business locations and cemeteries come under attack periodically.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, a Baha’i cemetery in Hamedan was partly destroyed overnight by unknown individuals.

Simin Fahandej, the spokesperson of the Bahá’í International Community told HRANA, “The Mortuary and praying hall of this cemetery has been partly demolished. It is not known which institution has instigated the perpetrators to take this action. This demolition had caused the collapse of the roof. It is one of the regime’s cruellest acts against the Baha’is community that they are not allowed to have a burial place for their deceased ones.”

In recent years, other Baha’i cemeteries in various cities, including Qorveh, Sanandaj, Kerman, Shiraz and Urmia have been demolished.

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.

Freedom of religion is a breach of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations Covenant holds that every person has the right to practice religion freely, freedom of converting to a religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

Christian Convert Rahmat Rostamipour Arrested in Bandar Anzali

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News, Religious Minorities
Christian convert, HRANA, Rahmat Rostamipour

Last Monday, April 18, 2022, security forces arrested Christian Convert Rahmat Rostamipour at his house. The day after the arrest, his wife was also summoned and interrogated for a few hours.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Article 18 News Outlet, Christian Convert, Rahmat Rostamipour was arrested by security forces at his house in Bandar Anzali located in Gilan Province.

Reportedly, 12 agents raided his house at 8 a.m. which caused a convulsion in one of his children. This incident dissuaded the agent from arresting Mr Rostamipour’s wife. The agents also searched the house and confiscated some of their belongings including children’s tablets and books related to the Christian faith.

The charges against Mr Rostamipour are still unknown so far. However, during the interrogation of his wife, the agents mentioned the charges of “propaganda against the regime and forming an illegal home church”.

Rahmat Rostamipour is 49 years old and a father of two children.

The persecution of Christian converts stands in blatant violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which state that every individual has the right to freedom of religion and belief and freedom to express it openly or secretly.

 

Baha’i Citizen Saeedeh Khozui in Detention Eight Days after Arrest

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Saeedeh Khozui

Baha’i citizen and a resident of Tehran, Saeedeh Khozui is still in detention after her arrest. On April 11, 2022, she was arrested after an appearance at Branch 2 of Evin Courthouse and she was allowed one phone call to her husband since.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Baha’i citizen Saeedeh Khozui is still in detention eight days after her arrest.

On April 19, she was allowed to make a phone call to her husband. Despite her family’s frequent inquiries, prison and judicial authorities did not reveal her whereabouts or the charges against her.

Mrs Khozai suffers from migraine and the prison does not serve regular meals during the month of Ramadan, which makes her health conditions worse.

Saeedeh Khozui is the mother of Arsalan Yazdani who was arrested by security forces in Tehran on September 1, 2021, and transferred to a detention center in Evin Prison. On September 30, 2021, security forces searched his house and confiscated some of Mr. Yazdani’s belongings including his laptop, other electronic devices and documents. Subsequently, Arsalan Yazdani was released on bail on October 17, 2021.

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Baha’i Citizen Saeedeh Khozuei Arrested in Tehran

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Arsalan Yazdani, Bahai, Freedom of religion, Saaedeh Khozuei

Baha’i citizen Saeedeh Khozuei, a resident of Tehran, was arrested after an appearance at Branch 2 of Evin Courthouse.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Monday, April 11, 2022, Bahai’ citizen Saeedeh Khozuei was arrested following the appearance at Evin Courthouse.

It was the second time in recent days that this individual had been summoned by Evin Courthouse.

Saeedeh Khozuei is the mother of Araslan Yadani who was arrested by security forces in Tehran on September 1, 2021, and transferred to a detention center in Evin Prison. On September 30, 2021, security forces searched their house and confiscated some of Mr. Yazdani’s belongings including his laptop, other electronic devices and documents. Subsequently, Arsalan Yazdani was released on bail on October 17, 2021.

Such restrictions on the freedom to practice religion are a breach of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

Three Christian Converts Sentenced to Total of 15 Years in Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Ahmad Sarparast, Ayoub Pourrezazadeh, Christian converts, Morteza Hajeb Mashhood-Kari

Recently, the Revolutionary Court of Rasht City sentenced three Christian Converts, Ahmad Sarparast, Ayoub Pourrezazadeh and Morteza Hajeb Mashhood-Kari each to 5 years imprisonment and a fine of 18 million tomans.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the Revolutionary Court of Rasht notified lawyer Iman Soleimani about the verdict against his clients. According to this verdict, Ahmad Sarparast, Ayoub Pourrezazadeh and Morteza Hajeb Mashhood-Kari have been sentenced to five years imprisonment on the charges of “holding home church services, propaganda against the regime, association with Zionism and Branhamist sect”. They have also been fined in the amount of 18 million tomans.

In an interview with HRANA, attorney Iman Soleimani said, “This trial did not go through a legal process as the judge was affected by judicial officers’ efforts to ensure the conviction, unlike the fact that the defendants did not commit any crimes punishable under Article 500 of the Islamic Penal Code. Rather, the defendant exercised their rights to freedom of opinion. The conviction stands at odds with the prohibition of inquisition and the principle of resolution of ambiguities in favor of defendants. These individuals would not have been  convicted in a fair trial.”

On September 5, 2021, these three Christian converts were arrested by security forces in Rasht. Thirteen days later, in a phone call to their families, Ahmad Sarparast and Morteza Hajeb Mashhood-Kari mentioned their relocation to Lakan Prison. On September 22, 2021, they were released on bail of 400 million tomans until the end of legal proceedings. One day later, Ayoub Pourrezazadeh was also released on bail of the same amount.

The prosecution of Christian converts stands in blatant violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which state that every individual has the right to freedom of religion and belief and freedom to express it openly or secretly.

Baha’i Citizen Shahram Najaf-Tomaraei Jailed in Evin Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i arrests in Iran, Baha'i citizen, Shahram Najaf-Tomaraei

Last Sunday, March 13, 2022, Baha’i citizen Shahram Najaf-Tomaraei was sent to Evin Prison to serve his two-year sentence. Earlier, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to two years imprisonment.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Baha’i citizen Shahram Najaf-Tomaraei was jailed in Evin prison for sentencing.

On November 25, 2015, the security forces arrested him and after a while released him on bail for the duration of legal proceedings. During the arrest, the agents searched his house and confiscated some of his personal belongings.

Ultimately, in December of 2019, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to two years imprisonment.

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.

Freedom of religion is a breach of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations Covenant holds that every person has the right to practice religion freely, freedom of converting to a religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

Baha’i Citizen Shahnaz Sabet Arrested and Sent to Adel-Abad Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Adel-Abad Prison, Bahais, Religious_Minorities, Shahnaz Sabet

On Saturday, March 12, 2022, Baha’i citizen Shahnaz Sabet was arrested by security forces and transferred to Adel-Abad Prison in Shiraz city.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Saturday, March 12, 2022, Iranian Bahai citizen Shahnaz Sabet was arrested and sent to Adel-Abad Prison in Shiraz for her sentencing.

According to an informed source close to Ms Sabet, while she was still awaiting the final verdict of the Supreme Court of Iran, they arrested her and took her to prison. Ms Sabet suffers from severe back pain and kidney stone, which raises concerns about her health conditions in prison.

On September 1, 2019, the security forces arrested Shahnaz Sabet at her house in Shiraz. After a while, she was released on bail until the end of legal proceedings. At the time of the arrest, the agents searched her house and confiscated some of her personal belongings.

On May 10, 2020, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Shiraz sentenced her to six years imprisonment on the charges of “propaganda against the regime and membership in anti-regime groups.”

In July of 2020, in a trial in absentia, the Court of Appeals of Shiraz reduced the sentence to two years in prison.

On October 12, 2020, she was arrested to serve her sentencing. On May 2, 2021, she was released temporary from prison after the approval of her request for a retrial by the Supreme Court of Iran.

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.

Freedom of religion is a breach of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations Covenant holds that every person has the right to practice religion freely, freedom of converting to a religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

Three Baha’i Citizens Arrested to Serve Sentences Without Prior Notice

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i, Baha'i citizen, Behrooz Farzandi, Ghasem Masoomi, religious freedom, religious minorities in iran, Sedigheh Aghdasi

On March 7, three Baha’i citizens, Sedigheh Aghdasi, Behrooz Farzandi and Ghasem Masoomi, were arrested and transferred to Adel-Abad Prison to serve their sentences. The arrest occurred without any notice and followed summons by the Revolutionary Court under the pretext of answering questions. Initially, these citizens had been each sentenced to 39 months in prison. On appeal, the sentence against Farzandi and Masoomi was upheld, while 25 months of Aghdasi’s sentence term was suspended.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, an informed source stated that during a court appearance, they were arrested and transferred to prison from the back door of the court without informing their families, who were waiting for them in front of the court building.

On April 6, 2021, they were arrested along with three other citizens by security forces. They were detained in solitary confinement cells of a police detention centre in Shiraz City. In May of 2021, they were released on bail until the end of legal proceedings.

In November of last year, the Revolutionary Court of Shiraz sentenced each to seven months and 16 days in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and 31 months and 16 days on the charge of “membership in anti-regime groups.” On appeal, 25 months of Aghdasi’s sentence was suspended and the sentences against two others were upheld.

Regarding the prosecution and the harassment of Baha’i people by Iran’s regime, HRA Senior Advocacy Coordinator Skylar Thompson stated that HRA strongly condemned these discriminatory acts against religious minorities in Iran. She asked that the regime take action to ensure Iranian people, and particularly Baha’i citizens, are entitled to the freedom of religion and can perform religious acts freely.

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

The deprivation of the freedom to practice religion is a breach of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations Covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.