HRANA News Agency – Five Bahai-run businesses in the city of Babolsar, on the Caspian coast in Iran’s Mazandaran Province, were shut down by the local authorities on May 1.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency in Iran (HRANA), seven other Bahai-run businesses in neighbouring areas were also closed. In Babolsar the Office of Public Places closed five Bahai businesses: an optician’s workshop belonging to Farshid Hekmat Sho`ar, a computer workshop run by Karen Momtazeyan, a tailor’s shop run by Erfan Ma`sumeyan, a tailor’s shop run by Afshin Azadi, and a photography studio run by Shahin Sana`i. Continue reading “New Bahai Businesses Closures in Mazandaran Province”
Category: Religious Minorities
Kamran Morteza’i Released from Prison
HRANA News Agency – Kamran Morteza’i-Farid, a former teacher at the Bahai Open University in Iran, has was released at the end of a five-year sentence for his educational activies on April 24.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency in Iran (HRANA), he has served an entire five-year sentence in Raja’i Shahr prison without a day of prison furlough. Mr. Morteza’i, now 63 years old, was one of the Bahais in Tehran, Zahedan, Sari, Isfahan and Shiraz who were arrested en masse in May, 2011. Continue reading “Kamran Morteza’i Released from Prison”
A Report on the Situation of Sunni Prisoners in Rajai Shahr Prison
HRANA News Agency – Sunni prisoners locked up in Ward 4 of Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj have faced problems such as lack of dispatching ill prisoners out of prison and three years of exclusion from eating meat. It is said that in some cases, these problems are deliberately caused by the prison authorities to harass them.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency in Iran (HRANA), Sunni prisoners in Ward 4 of Hall 10 of Rajai Shahr prison described the situation as inappropriate, while the prisoners face a double whammy. Continue reading “A Report on the Situation of Sunni Prisoners in Rajai Shahr Prison”
Sunni Mosques in Kurdistan Deprived of Determining Their Imams
HRANA News Agency – According to the Religious Affairs Office in Kurdistan province, the trustees of mosques have no right to Dismissal and Employment of the prayers or hold Koran classes without the approval of the Great Islamic Center. The Great Islamic Center deals with Sunni people’s religious affairs and is a governmental institution that operates under the supervision of representatives of the Supreme Leader.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency in Iran (HRANA), Islamic Affairs Department in the cities of Kurdistan has sent an order to the board of trustees of mosques in the province in order to inform them that they did not have any authority to choose Imam for their mosques. Continue reading “Sunni Mosques in Kurdistan Deprived of Determining Their Imams”
16 Bahai Businesses Closed in Qa’em Shahr
HRANA News Agency – 16 Bahai-run businesses in Qaem Shahr have been shut down by the authorities because they were closed for the Bahai holy day of the first day of Ridvan.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency in Iran (HRANA), in recent years the local departments of public places in Iran have closed down many of the small workshops and shops on which Bahais must rely for their income, since they are barred from employment in the civil service and in many economic sectors. Continue reading “16 Bahai Businesses Closed in Qa’em Shahr”
BIHE Teacher Faran Hesami Released after 4-Year Sentence
HRANA News Agency – Faran Hesami, one of the imprisoned teachers from the Bahai Open University (BIHE) was released from Evin Prison in Tehran today, at the end of a four-year sentence for educational activities. Continue reading “BIHE Teacher Faran Hesami Released after 4-Year Sentence”
Behzad Dhabihi Still in Solitary, Despite Bail
HRANA News Agency – Behzad Dhabihi is still being held in solitary confinement in the Ministry of Intelligence detention facility in Sari, although bail has been granted and paid.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency in Iran (HRANA), he was arrested on February 22, and detained by the Ministry in solitary confinement, although bail of 50 million tumans (31,000 euros, $41,000 US) has been posted, apparently because of administrative delays in registering the collateral. Continue reading “Behzad Dhabihi Still in Solitary, Despite Bail”
Sunni Civilians Shot while Exiting the Mosque
HRANA News Agency – Unknown armed terrorists fired on people who were exiting a Sunni mosque on Friday. A civilian was killed. The video is showing moments after the attack.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), armed terrorists who were riding on two motorcycles fired on people who were exiting the Ghoba mosque after Friday prayers, on April 1st. Continue reading “Sunni Civilians Shot while Exiting the Mosque”
A Short Report about the Situation of Sunni Prisoners in Rajaei Shahr Prison
HRANA News Agency – There are more than 70 Sunni prisoners kept in Rajaei Shahr prison with political-security charges, 42 of whom are imprisoned with the sentences between 5 to 20 years and are being kept in hall number 21 of ward number 7, and at least 30 prisoners with death sentences who are kept in hall number 10 of ward 4 of the prison.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), more than 70 Sunni prisoners are kept in Rajaei Shahr prison with security and political allegations and have received their sentences under sacrilege charge. These prisoners are usually residents of western parts of Iran and are kept kilometers far from their hometown. Continue reading “A Short Report about the Situation of Sunni Prisoners in Rajaei Shahr Prison”
A Report about Abraham Firuzi, Imprisoned Christian
HRANA News Agency – Abraham Firuzi, a newly converted to Christianity, was sentenced to 5 years in prison on charges of evangelism and held in Karaj prison. In the absence of transparency and official information, HRANA publishes the images of the verdict which the Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court issued unlawfully.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Abraham Firuzi has been sentenced to 5 years in prison reportedly because of the peaceful activities of conscience, by virtue of Article 498 of the Penal Code. Continue reading “A Report about Abraham Firuzi, Imprisoned Christian”