Category: Religious Minorities

Shahram Tahzib, a Baha’i Citizen in Gonbad-e Kavus, Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Gonbad-e Kavus, Shahram Tahzib

HRANA – Yesterday, December 3, Shahram Tahzib, a Baha’i citizen residing in Gonbad-e Kavus, was arrested by security forces in the city and taken to an undisclosed location. At the same time, his home was searched by agents.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Tahzib was arrested on Wednesday, December 3, by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence at his family home. The agents also searched the residence and confiscated books related to the Baha’i faith.

As of the time of this report, there is no information on his whereabouts, the reasons for his arrest, or the charges brought against him.

Shahram Tahzib is a Baha’i citizen living in Gonbad-e Kavus.

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.

Ongoing Detention: Fate of Baha’i Citizen Arvin Avazpour Unknown

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News, Religious Minorities
Arvin Avazpour, Gonbad-e Kavus, آروین عوض پور

HRANA – Despite 22 days having passed since the arrest of Arvin Avazpour, a Baha’i citizen residing in Gonbad-e Kavus, no information has yet been obtained regarding his place of detention. The lack of news about his condition has increased his family’s concerns.

Based on information received by HRANA, despite the passage of 22 days since Mr. Avazpour’s arrest, he continues to be held in an uncertain state, and no details have been obtained regarding where he is being kept. A source close to the family confirmed the continued lack of information, adding that repeated attempts by relatives to learn about his situation have so far been unsuccessful, circumstances that have deepened the family’s worry and increased the uncertainty surrounding his condition.

Arvin Avazpour was arrested on November 12, 2025 by security forces at his workplace. Arvin Avazpour, 45, is the father of two and a resident of Gonbad-e Kavus.

Kambiz Teimouri-Moghaddam, a Baha’i زitizen, Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities
Gorgan, Kambiz Teimouri-Moghaddam, Rouhollah Teimouri-Moghaddam

HRANA – Kambiz Teimouri-Moghaddam, a Baha’i citizen residing in Gorgan, has been arrested by security forces. Officers searched his home and confiscated several personal belongings. His place of business has also been sealed.

Based on information received by HRANA, the arrest of this Baha’i citizen took place yesterday morning at Mr. Teimouri-Moghaddam’s residence. During the search, agents confiscated a number of his personal items, including electronic devices, books, and documents, and they also sealed his business. The arrest occurred despite the fact that Mr. Teimouri-Moghaddam suffers from high blood pressure and requires medical care, which has heightened the concerns of his family and those close to him.

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding the reasons for his arrest, his place of detention, or the charges against him.

Kambiz Teimouri-Moghaddam is the son of Rouhollah Teimouri-Moghaddam and a Baha’i citizen residing in Gorgan.

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.

Shahram Fallah, a Baha’i Citizen, Sentenced to Imprisonment and Exile

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News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Birjand, Kerman, Shahram Fallah, شهرام فلاح

HRANA – Shahram Fallah, a Baha’i citizen imprisoned in Kerman Prison, has been sentenced by the Kerman Province Court of Appeals to nine years, six months, and one day in prison, as well as one year of exile to Birjand County.

This verdict was recently issued in absentia by the Kerman Province Court of Appeals on charges of “deviant educational and promotional activities contrary to Islamic law through unfounded and false claims in religious matters, with organizational connections abroad,” as well as forming a group aimed at disrupting national security.

According to the judge’s ruling, Mr. Fallah’s original sentence of thirteen years, six months, and two days in prison, issued by the trial court, was reduced to nine years, six months, and one day. However, the one-year exile to Birjand County, imposed as a supplementary punishment, was fully upheld.

Mr. Fallah was arrested on August 18, 2025, by Ministry of Intelligence agents at his residence and transferred to Kerman Prison. At the time of his arrest, agents confiscated the mobile phones of family members and guests, as well as several books and religious images belonging to Mr. Fallah.

Shahram Fallah, a 64-year-old Baha’i citizen residing in Kerman, has previously faced legal actions, arrest, and convictions.

Appeals Court: Nahid Behroozi Sentenced to Imprisonment and Additional Penalties

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News, Religious Minorities
Karaj, Nahid Behroozi

HRANA – Nahid Behroozi (Forouhari), a Baha’i citizen residing in Karaj, has been sentenced by Branch 12 of the Alborz Province Court of Appeals to three years in prison along with additional penalties.

This verdict was recently issued by Branch 12 of the Alborz Appeals Court based on the charge attributed to her under Article 500 bis of the Islamic Penal Code, which concerns “deviant educational or propaganda activities contrary to or disruptive of the sacred religion of Islam.” According to the judge’s ruling, her initial five-year prison sentence issued in the lower court has been reduced to three years. Her additional penalties, ten years of deprivation of social rights and the confiscation of seized property, including electronic devices and her religious books, were upheld in full.

On October 6, 2024, Ms. Behroozi had been sentenced by Branch 4 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court to five years’ imprisonment and complementary punishments for the same charge.

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.

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Baha’i Citizen Pariya Marandiz Taken to Evin Prison to Serve Her Sentence

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News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Evin Prison, HRANA, Pariya Marandiz

HRANA – On Saturday, 22 November 2025, Pariya Marandiz, a Baha’i citizen, was taken to Evin Prison to begin serving her prison sentence.

Based on information received by HRANA, Ms. Marandiz was taken to Evin Prison today, Saturday, 22 November 2025, to begin serving her sentence. Some time ago, Branch 23 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her to three years in prison on charges of propaganda activity against the Islamic Republic of Iran during the 12-day war and propaganda activity aimed at strengthening and reinforcing the Israeli regime. She was also banned from using social media for two years.

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe sentence, two years in prison for the charge of propaganda activity aimed at strengthening and reinforcing the Israeli regime, will be enforceable for this Baha’i citizen. Eighteen months of the issued prison term has been suspended for five years.

Ms. Marandiz had also been summoned by the Ministry of Intelligence on 20 June, 1 July, and 13 July 2025, and interrogated for several hours each time.

On 17 June 2025, Ms. Marandiz was briefly detained by security forces. At the same time, her residence was searched. During this search, officers confiscated a number of her and her family members’ personal belongings, including books, religious images, 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.

Seven Baha’i Citizens Now Imprisoned in Karaj Following Enforcement of Sentences

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News, Religious Minorities
HRANA, Kachoui prison, Karaj, Parsa Soroushian, Rouzbeh Naseri

HRANA – Parsa Soroushian and Rouzbeh Naseri, two Baha’i citizens residing in Karaj, were transferred on Sunday, November 16, to the Central Penitentiary of Karaj to begin serving their prison sentences.

According to information received by HRANA, on November 16, these two Baha’i citizens were detained after appearing at the Enforcement Unit of the Karaj Revolutionary Court and were transferred to the Central Penitentiary of Karaj to begin serving their sentences.

In a separate report, HRANA had already announced the enforcement of the prison sentences for five other defendants in the same case: Naghmeh Mirza-Agha, Mahin Sa’adatmand, Mahshid Sefidi, Samar Masoudi, and Naser Rajab. Among them, Mr. Rajab was transferred to the Central Penitentiary of Karaj, while the four women were taken to Kachoui Prison. These citizens had been summoned to the Enforcement Unit of the Karaj Revolutionary Court in mid-Mehr for the execution of their sentences.

Following an appeals hearing on September 8, 2025, Branch 12 of the Alborz Province Court of Appeals reduced their sentences to five months in prison, two years of travel bans, and two years of bans on social activity. Previously, each had been sentenced by Branch 2 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court to ten months in prison along with additional penalties.

Naser Rajab has previously faced security-related persecution and arrest.

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.

Aminollah Koushkbaghi, a Baha’i Citizen, Arrested in Gonbad-e Kavus

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News, Religious Minorities
Aminollah Koushkbaghi, Arvin Avezpour, Baha'i citizen, Gonbad-e Kavus, HRANA

HRANA – Aminollah Koushkbaghi, a Baha’i citizen residing in Gonbad-e Kavus, was arrested by security forces on Wednesday, November 12, and transferred to an undisclosed location.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Koushkbaghi, 69, was arrested on Wednesday, November 12, by security forces. Five days after his arrest, efforts by his family and relatives to obtain information about his fate have so far been unsuccessful.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding his whereabouts, the reasons for his arrest, or the charges brought against him.

Around the time of this arrest, another Baha’i citizen in Gonbad-e Kavus, Arvin Avezpour, was also arrested by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location.

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.

Gonbad-e Kavus: Baha’i Citizen Arvin Avazpour Arrested and Held Incommunicado

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News, Religious Minorities
Arvin Avazpour, Baha'i citizen, Gonbad-e Kavus, آروین عوض پور

HRANA – On Wednesday, November 12, Arvin Avazpour, a Baha’i citizen residing in Gonbad-e Kavus, was arrested by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location. At the same time, his home was searched by the agents.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Avazpour was arrested by security forces at his workplace. After detaining him, the agents took him to his home and searched the premises. During the search, they confiscated several books, mostly related to the Baha’i faith, as well as his mobile phone.

Five days after his arrest, efforts by his family and relatives to obtain information about his fate have remained unsuccessful.

Arvin Avazpour, 45, is a father of two and a resident of Gonbad-e Kavus.

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.

Farhad Fahandej, a Baha’i Citizen, Arrested in Gorgan

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Farhad Fahandej, Gorgan, HRANA, حمید فرهادی

HRANA – On Wednesday, November 12, Farhad Fahandej, a Baha’i citizen residing in Gorgan, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location. At the same time, his home was searched by the agents.

According to HRANA, eight security officers carried out the arrest at Mr. Fahandej’s residence. During the search, several personal items, including his books and photographs, were confiscated.

A source close to the family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “The agents only showed Mr. Fahandej, who was home alone at the time, a warrant to search the house. Later, when his wife and children returned, they were threatened and interrogated by the agents.”

As of now, no information is available regarding the reasons for his arrest, the charges against him, or his place of detention.

Farhad Fahandej, aged approximately 66, living in Gorgan, has previously faced arrest and judicial persecution due to his faith.

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.