Tag: Bahais

Appeals Court: Baha’i Citizen Maryam Zabihi Sentenced to Imprisonment

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha’i Institute for Higher Education, Bahais, BIHE, Maryam Zabihi, Qaemshahr

HRANA – The prison sentence of Maryam Zabihi, a Baha’i citizen residing in Qaemshahr, has been reduced by the Mazandaran Province Court of Appeals to three months and one day. She had initially been sentenced to ten months in prison by a lower court.

According to Hyrkani news, Ms. Zabihi’s ten-month prison sentence was reduced to three months and one day by the Mazandaran Province Court of Appeals in late September.

The initial verdict against Ms. Zabihi was issued by Branch 104 of the Qaemshahr Criminal Court (Category Two) on the charge of “educational activities contrary to and disruptive of the sacred Islamic law.”

The charge reportedly stemmed from holding university examination sessions for students of the Baha’i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) at her private residence. It is worth noting that, since Baha’is are denied access to higher education in Iran, this unofficial university was established by members of the Baha’i community to provide Baha’i students with access to higher education.

On Monday, February 12, 2024, security agents searched Maryam Zabihi’s home, seizing all electronic devices, textbooks, laptops, and tablets belonging to five Baha’i youths who were present at the time.

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.

Confiscation of Property from 22 Baha’i Citizens in Isfahan

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News, Religious Minorities
Bahais, HRANA, Isfahan

HRANA – Iranian authorities have intensified security and economic pressure on the Baha’i community by issuing judicial rulings to confiscate the property of 22 Baha’i citizens in Isfahan. Officials delivered these orders—citing Article 49 of the Constitution—without following standard legal procedures or registering them in the judiciary’s electronic system (Sana).

One of the Baha’i citizens affected, speaking to HRANA on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, stated: “At this point, property has been frozen for most, if not all, of those targeted, and they have effectively been placed under a transaction ban. Any assets or property in their name can no longer be sold or transferred. However, final rulings on permanent confiscation have not yet been issued.”

According to this source, the process is unfolding in complete secrecy and involves blatant violations of the accused individuals’ rights—including denial of access to legal representation, removal of case files from the judiciary’s Sana system, and the creation of two parallel legal cases for each individual: one criminal case (typically heard in Branch 11 of the Criminal Court) and another in courts handling cases under Article 49, aimed at confiscating property.

Another informed source noted that although some of the individuals had previously been arrested and had their belongings seized during security raids, a separate and now formal property confiscation process has been initiated—one that could result in significantly greater harm to families both legally and financially.

He added: “This goes far beyond temporary detention or the seizure of personal items. Full asset freezes and transfer bans are being enforced in cases that are not even officially registered in the judiciary’s database, leaving lawyers unable to intervene.”

HRANA has previously documented similar patterns of persecution against Baha’is in other provinces, including Mazandaran and Khorasan Razavi. Article 49 of Iran’s Constitution authorizes the government to confiscate assets acquired through illegitimate means. However, in recent years, this article has increasingly been used as a structural tool to target religious and political minorities and confiscate their assets.

Due to fears that the confiscation process may accelerate, many Baha’i citizens have declined to have their names made public. Nevertheless, HRANA has verified the identities and details of those involved in these cases.

The Baha’i International Community has previously expressed grave concern over the increasing confiscation of Baha’i-owned property in Iran, a campaign reportedly orchestrated and directed by the “Executive Headquarters of Imam’s Order” (Setad).

Appeals Court Upholds 51-Year Prison Sentences for Three Baha’i Citizens

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News, Religious Minorities
Bahais, Nematollah Shadpour, Nima Shadpour, Shafigh Eslami, Yazd

HRANA News Agency – The prison sentences of Ne’matollah Shadpour, Nima Shadpour, and Shafigh Eslami, three Baha’i citizens residing in Yazd, have been upheld in full by the Appeals Court of Yazd Province. These individuals were initially sentenced by the Revolutionary and Criminal Courts of Yazd County to a combined total of 51 years in prison.

In the initial trial, Shafigh Eslami was sentenced to 17 years by the Criminal Court and an additional two years and seven months by the Revolutionary Court. Nima Shadpour received 15 years from the Criminal Court and two years and seven months from the Revolutionary Court. Ne’matollah Shadpour was sentenced to 10 years by the Criminal Court and three years and ten months by the Revolutionary Court. These sentences were issued on March 5, 2025, by Branch 2 of the Yazd Revolutionary Court and Branch 105 of the Yazd Criminal Court.

The charges against them include “membership in groups and organizations opposed to the regime” and “propaganda against the Islamic Republic.” Additional accusations include “insulting the Supreme Leader,” “blasphemy,” and “collecting classified information with the intent to disrupt national security.”

On July 19, 2022, Ne’matollah Shadpour, Nima Shadpour, and Shafigh Eslami were arrested by security forces and later released on bail.

Six Baha’i Women in Hamedan Sentenced to a Total of 38 Years and 11 Months in Prison

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

HRANA – six Baha’i women residing in Hamedan—have been collectively sentenced to 38 years and 11 months in prison by Branch 2 of the Hamedan Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the sentences were recently issued and formally communicated to the defendants. The charges include “membership in the Baha’i community” and “teaching and promoting activities deemed contrary to Islamic principles.”

The details of the verdict for each individual are as follows:

  • Neda Mohebi was sentenced to five years in prison for teaching and promoting the Baha’i faith, and an additional two years and eight months for membership in the Baha’i community. Three years of her sentence have been suspended for five years.

  • Atefeh Zahedi, Farideh Ayoubi, Noora Ayoubi, Zarrindokht Ahadzadeh, and Zhaleh Rezaei were each sentenced to two years and eight months for Baha’i community membership, and three years and seven months for promoting activities against Islamic law. For Noora Ayoubi, Ahadzadeh, and Rezaei, two years of their prison sentences were suspended for five years.

All six were previously released on bail in December 2023 after being detained by security forces on November 7, 2023. They were held in The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Hamedan. Security forces also searched the homes of Zhaleh Rezaei and Farideh Ayoubi following their arrests.

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.

Homes of Six Baha’i Citizens Raided in Yazd

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News, Religious Minorities
Bahais, Farrokh Shadpour, Ghodrat Mirzaei, HRANA, Jamal Ghadirzadeh, Manouchehr Sobhani, Ramin Jiveh, Taraz Amiri, Yazd

HRANA News Agency – On the evening of Thursday, May 22, security forces raided the homes of six Baha’i citizens in Yazd.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, agents from the Yazd branch of the Ministry of Intelligence conducted the coordinated raids on Thursday evening. Security forces searched the homes of Ramin Jiveh, Jamal Ghadirzadeh, and Ghodrat Mirzaei, and later targeted the residences of Manouchehr Sobhani, Farrokh Shadpour, and Taraz Amiri. During the raids, agents confiscated personal belongings including Baha’i religious books, mobile phones, and laptops.

It is worth noting that Jamal Ghadirzadeh is currently facing legal proceedings related to his Baha’i faith and activities.

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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Thirteen Baha’i Citizens Arrested by the IRGC Intelligence Organization in Isfahan

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i faith, Bahais, HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Isfahan

HRANA News Agency – The IRGC Intelligence Organization in Isfahan has announced the arrest of 13 Baha’i citizens for allegedly promoting and teaching beliefs associated with the Baha’i faith.

According to HRANA, quoting ISNA, in a statement released today, the IRGC Intelligence Organization claimed that the arrests were made due to the promotion and teaching of Baha’i beliefs among children and teenagers through virtual classes. the IRGC Intelligence, without disclosing the identities or whereabouts of the detainees, alleged that these individuals engaged in actions such as “altering Islamic lifestyles through promoting promiscuity, dog walking, intermingling of girls and boys.”

It is worth noting that HRANA previously reported on the imprisonment of 10 Baha’i women in Isfahan, but it remains unclear whether the ISNA report refers to these individuals or to other Baha’i citizens recently arrested in the city.

According to the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between January 1, 2024, and December 20, 2024, a total of 157 reports were recorded in the category of religious and faith-based minority rights. Among these, Baha’is accounted for 67.54% of the reports, ranking as the most observed group in human rights monitoring.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both 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’is Shahin Mavaddat and Soodabeh Mahdinzhad Arrested in Gorgan

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i faith, Bahais, Gorgan, HRANA, Shahin Mavaddat, Soodabeh Mahdinzhad, Soodabeh Mehdinejad

On Monday, September 23, 2024, Baháʼí couple Shahin Mavaddat and Soodabeh Mahdinzhad, residents of Gorgan, were arrested by security forces at their home and taken to an undisclosed location. The agents also conducted a thorough search of their residence, seizing multiple electronic devices and religious books.

A source close to the family confirmed to HRANA: “On Monday, 10 Ministry of Intelligence agents arrived at the home of Shahin Mavaddat and Soodabeh Mahdinzhad with a search and arrest warrant. They detained the couple following a two-hour search, during which they confiscated mobile phones, personal electronic devices, Baháʼí religious texts, and the home’s CCTV system.”

The source added that security forces also examined the electronic devices of other family members. During the entire search, the agents recorded the events using three cameras.

As of now, no information has been released regarding the reasons for their arrest or their current whereabouts.

Soodabeh Mahdinzhad has a prior history of arrest and sentencing due to her religious beliefs.

Baha’is are subjected to violations of their religious rights, comprising 82% of reports on infringements against religious minorities, according to HRA’s 2023 annual report.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both 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 Citizen Nahid Behroozi Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities
Alborz province, Bahais, Fardis County, Nahid Behroozi, ناهید بهروزی

On July 29, the Ministry of Intelligence arrested Nahid Behroozi (Forouhari), a Baha’i citizen residing in Fardis County, Alborz Province. They also searched her residence and confiscated several of her personal belongings.

A source close to this citizen’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, saying: “Ms. Behroozi was arrested today, Monday, July 29, 2024, by Ministry of Intelligence agents at her home. The agents also searched her home and confiscated several items, including her mobile phone, laptop, and computer.”

So far, the reasons for her arrest and the charges against Ms. Behroozi have not been disclosed.

Baha’is are subjected to violations of their religious rights, comprising 82% of reports on infringements against religious minorities, according to HRA’s 2023 annual report.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both 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 Citizen Payam Vali Receives One Year in Prison and Other Punishments

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News, Religious Minorities
Alborz Revolutionary Court, Bahais, Ghezel Hesar prison, Payam Vali

Payam Vali, a Baha’i citizen, has been sentenced by the Karaj Revolutionary Court to one year in prison, a two-year travel ban, and a ban on social media use in relation to a case opened against him during his imprisonment. He is currently serving a previous sentence in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

Based on a verdict issued on Saturday, June 29, 2024, by Branch 3 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Narimani, Vali was sentenced to one year in prison, a two-year travel ban, and a ban on social media use for the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

The hearing for Vali’s charges was held on June 8 this year in the aforementioned branch.

A close associate of Vali told HRANA, “Publishing an open letter from prison was cited as evidence for the charges against him.” In this letter, Vali protested his illegal detention and the charges against him, and copies were sent to several political and judicial leaders of the Islamic Republic.

Vali’s arrest took place on September 24, 2022, when security forces apprehended him at his residence in Karaj and conducted a search of his house. Subsequently, he was detained in Rajai Shahr Prison before being relocated to Ghezel Hesar Prison.

In early February of the same year, Vali was sentenced by Branch 1 of the Alborz Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Mousa Asef Hosseini, to ten years in prison for “collaborating with hostile governments,” five years for “inciting people to war and killing each other,” one year for “propaganda against the regime,” with credit for time served, and additional punishments including a two-year travel ban post-imprisonment and two years of compulsory residence in Yasuj with weekly reporting to the Revolutionary Court.

Finally, on May 10, 2023, his sentence was reduced by the Alborz Court of Appeals to nine years and nine months in prison. Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe punishment, six years in prison, will be enforced. Vali’s request for a retrial was denied by the Supreme Court in early January 2024.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both 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 Arash Nabavi Sentenced to Imprisonment and Additional Punishments

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News, Religious Minorities
Arash Nabavi, Bahais, Isfahan, آرش نبوی

Arash Nabavi, a Baha’i citizen residing in Isfahan, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of this city to ten years of imprisonment, a fine, confiscation of property, and other penalties.

Based on a verdict issued by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan, presided over by Mohammadreza Tavakoli, and communicated to Mr. Nabavi, he has been sentenced to five years of imprisonment and a fine for the charge of “membership in groups to disrupt national security.” Additionally, for the charge of “propaganda activities against Islamic law”, he has been sentenced to another five years of imprisonment. As supplementary punishment, he has also been sentenced to a two-year ban on online acitvities, prohibition from leaving the country, and confiscation of property.
Three mobile phones, three flash drives, two tablets, three SIM cards, and several books and materials related to the Baha’i Faith are among the items ordered to be confiscated in the verdict.

This Baha’i citizen was arrested on August 14, 2023, and released after two months on bail. During the arrest, the officers searched his house and seized some of Mr. Nabavi’s personal belongings.

Arash Nabavi, single and approximately thirty-eight years old, lives the “Imam Neighborhood” in Isfahan.

Baha’is are subjected to violations of their religious rights, comprising 82% of reports on infringements against religious minorities, according to HRA’s 2023 annual report.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both 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.