Category: Religious Minorities

Baha’i Citizen Sina Kamali Sarvestani Released from Adelabad Prison on Bail

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Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Adelabad Prison, Adelabad Prison in Shiraz, Arrest without warrant, Citizen arrested, Citizen detained, irgc, IRGC detention center, Kamali Sarvestani, medical neglect, Shiraz, Sina Kamali Sarvestani

On Sunday, July 11, Sina Kamali Sarvestani, a Baha’i citizen, was released on bail from Adelabad Prison in Shiraz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, still no information is available on the reasons for his arrest and the charges against him as of this writing.

Kamali Sarvestani was arrested by security forces on June 14 and was first transferred to the IRGC Intelligence Detention Center and later to Adelabad Prison in Shiraz, where he was held for nearly a month. He has been released on bail temporarily until the end of his trial.

According to unofficial sources, 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.

This deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a violation 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.

Family Expresses Growing Concern Over Condition of Baha’i Citizen Sina Kamali in Adelabad Prison

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Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Adelabad, Adelabad Prison, Baha'i, Baha'i arrests, Baha'i arrests in Iran, baha'i citizens arrested, Bahais, Kamali Sarvestani, Shiraz, Sina Kamali Sarvestani

Baha’i citizen Sina Kamali Sarvestani is still being held in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz 24 days after his arrest, and his family has expressed growing concern over his condition.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Humen Rights Activists, Kamali Sarvestani informed his family during his last phone call on July 4 that he is in a very unfavorable mental condition. Kamali Sarvestani expressed that that he is anxious, in need of consultation, and worried that he will be sent back to the IRGC’s intelligence detention center.

Kamali Sarvestani’s family delivered the medications he needs to the prison following the call, but do not know if they were ever given to him. Kamali Sarvestani’s poor condition and the lack of transparency about the delivery of the drugs, coupled with recent cancellations of visit time by the authorities have raised concern among his family.

According to unofficial sources, 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.

This deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a violation 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.

Despite his family’s inquiries, officials have still given no reason for Kamali Sarvestani’s arrest or the charges against him.

University of Tehran Reverses Expulsion of Imprisoned Gonabadi Dervish Student Kasra Nouri

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Prisoners, Religious Minorities, Students
Adelabad, Adelabad Prison, Gonabadi Dervish, Gonabadi Dervishes, Kasra Nouri, Majzooban Noor, Nouri, Student Disciplinary Code, Tehran, University of Tehran

On July 5, the University of Tehran reversed its decision to expel Gonabadi Dervish graduate student Kasra Nouri .

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Nouri had previously been expelled from the University of Tehran for “truancy”, or, missing class while serving out a sentence in Adelabad Prison.

This expulsion violated the Constitution and the International Convention on Cultural and Social Rights, which holds that students must be allowed to continue their education following the completion of a prison sentence.

After repeated follow-ups by Shokufeh Yadollahi, Kasra Nouri’s mother, a letter was received from the University of Tehran canceling the expulsion of the imprisoned Gonabadi Dervish. According to the letter, Nouri will be permitted to continue his studies after he has endured the entirety of his sentence.

Farshid Yadollahi, Kasra Nouri’s lawyer had previously mentioned that Mr. Nouri’s expulsion from the university was against the constitution and the International Convention on Cultural and Social Rights and emphasized that, “When Kasra Nouri went to prison, the family informed the university, meaning everyone knew he was in prison.”

Dorsa Dehghani Released on Bail; Sina Kamali Sarvestani Still in Detention

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Freedom of Expression, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Baha'i, Baha'i arrests, baha'i citizens arrested, Baha'i citizens detained, Baha'i citizens in Iran, Dorsa Dehghani, irgc, Shiraz, Sina Kamali Sarvestani

Baha’i citizen Dorsa Dehghani was released on bail on Thursday, July 1st, while  Sina Kamali Sarvestani, another Baha’i resident of Shiraz, is still being held in an undisclosed location after 17 days of detention.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, these citizens were arrested separately on June 14 by IRGC intelligence agents.

According to unofficial sources, 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.

This deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a violation 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 a Total of 15 Years in Prison and a Fine

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Freedom of Expression, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Alireza Nourmohammadi, Amin Khaki, Christian converts, Christianity, Citizens arrested, Citizens detained, Karaj, Milad Goodarzi, Religious persecution

Amin Khaki, Milad Goodarzi, and Alireza Nourmohammadi were sentenced by the Fourth Branch of the Revolutionary Court of Karaj to five years each in prison and a fine of 40 million tomans.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the website Article 18 , the three christian converts were sentenced for “Propaganda and educational activities contrary to the holy Sharia of Islam”.

The citizens had been released on bail of 250 million tomans each in November 2020 after being summoned to judicial authorities and filing a case.

Despite the fact that Christians are recognized as a religious minority under Iranian law, the security services nevertheless pursue the issue of Muslims converting to Christianity with particular sensitivity and deal harshly with activists in this field.

The Iranian regime targets Christian converts despite 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.

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Eight Year Prison Sentence Upheld for Baha’i Citizen and Women’s Motocross Champion Shahrzad Nazifi

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Prisoners, Religious Minorities, Women
Baha'i, Baha'i arrests in Iran, Baha'i citizen arrested, Baha'i citizens imprisoned, baha'i in iran, Baha'i women in Iran, Nazifi, Sentenced in absentia, Shahrzad Nazifi, Women's Motocross

After approving an appeal hearing, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran upheld an eight year prison sentence for Baha’i citizen and women’s motocross champion Shahrzad Nazifi.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Nazifi was previously sentenced in absentia to eight years in prison, 4 hours of community service a day for 3 months, and a 2-year ban on leaving the country.

Nazifi was arrested on charges of “managing illegal groups and factions with the aim of disrupting the security of the country” and “bad motives and internal desire to destroy the religious system”.

Unofficial sources estimate 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 their religion is a violation 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.

Baha’i Citizens Sina Kamali and Dorsa Dehghani Still in Detention in Shiraz

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Prisoners, Religious Minorities, Women
Baha'i, Baha'i citizens, baha'i citizens arrested, Dehghani, Dorsa Dehghani, irgc, Sarvestani, Shiraz, Sina Kamali Sarvestani

After 14 days, Baha’i citizens Dorsa Dehghani and Sina Kamali Sarvestani are still in detention in an unknown location in Shiraz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the citizens were arrested separately on June 15 by IRGC intelligence agents.

A source close to their families said that Dehghani and Sarvestani have made a brief calls and spoken with their families but are being interrogated under psychological and physical pressure. The lack of accountability of the security agencies about their condition and whereabouts has caused increasing concern from their families.

Darsa Dehghani was treated for a medical problem before his detention, but he has not had access to his medications since being arrested.

According to unofficial sources, 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.

This deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a violation 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.

 

Gonabadi Dervish Student Kasra Nouri Expelled from the University of Tehran for Missing Class While Imprisoned

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Prisoners, Religious Minorities, Students
Adelabad, Adelabad Prison, Adelabad Prison in Shiraz, Gonabad, Gonabadi Dervish, Gonabadi Sufi (Dervish), Kasra Nouri, Shiraz, Sufi, University of Tehran

Kasra Nouri, a Gonabadi Dervish imprisoned in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz, was expelled by the University of Tehran for truancy.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, this violates disciplinary regulations that stipulate that, in cases of prosecution that leads to a student’s temporary imprisonment, the student must be allowed to complete their studies after completing the sentence (and that the duration of the sentence must not be counted as part of the student’s academic years).

Today, June 25, Kasra Nouri’s brother has published a picture of a letter from the University of Tehran Office of Academic Affairs issued last November which says that Mr. Kasra Nouri has been dismissed from his studies for failing to attend classes.

Nouri was a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in Human Rights at the University of Tehran, and one of the webmasters of the Majzooban Noor website.  He was arrested in February 2018, along with hundreds of other Gonabadi Dervishes, and then transferred to the Greater Tehran Prison.

Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Ahmadzadeh, sentenced Mr. Nouri to 12 years in prison, 74 lashes, 2 years in exile in Babajani town,  a 2 year ban from leaving the country, and 2 years deprivation of membership in political groups, parties, and media activities. Seven and a half years of imprisonment are enforceable to Mr. Nouri.

Noiri had previously endured 4 years in prison from 2011 to mid-2015 for media activities for Gonabadi Dervishes.

Baha’i Citizens Sina Kamali Sarvestani and Dorsa Dehghani Arrested in Shiraz

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Prisoners, Religious Minorities, Women
Baha'i, Baha'i arrests, Baha'i arrests in Iran, Baha'i citizens, baha'i citizens arrested, baha'i in iran, Dehghani, Dorsa Dehghani, Fars Province, Sarvestani, Shiraz, Sina Kamali Sarvestani

On June 14, Baha’i citizens Sina Kamali Sarvestani and Dorsa Dehghani were separately arrested by security forces and taken to an unknown location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, officers reportedly searched Sarvestani and Dehghani’s homes in Shiraz and confiscated all electronic devices including phones, laptops, and books.

More than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, according to unofficial sources, 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.

This deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a violation 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.

As of this writing, no information is available on the detention facility or the status of Sarvestani and Dehghani.

Women’s Motocross Champion and Baha’i Citizen Shahrzad Nazif Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison

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Prisoners, Religious Minorities, Women
Baha'i, Baha'i arrests, Baha'i arrests in Iran, baha'i citizens arrested, Nazifi, Shahrzad Nazifi, women's motorcross

Women’s motocross champion and Baha’i citizen Shahrzad Nazifi was recently sentenced to 8 years in prison, 3 months’ probation in a center for mental handicaps, and a 2-year ban from leaving the country.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists,  Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, issued the sentence in the absence of both Nazifi and her lawyer.

Tehran resident Shahrzad Nazifi, daughter of Ali, was born in 1971. Nazifi and her daughter Nora Naraghi are among the pioneers of women’s motocross in Iran. In May 2019, HRANA reported that Shahrzad Nazifi, Mehrshad Naraghi, and their children, were all barred from entering and using motorcycling tracks without a court order.

Nazifi has been charged with “managing illegal groups and factions with the aim of disrupting the security of the country” and with “bad motives and internal desire to destroy the religious system”.

According to unofficial sources, 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.

This deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a violation 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.