HRANA – Peyvand Naimi (Naeimi), a Baha’i citizen, remains in a state of legal limbo more than two months after his arrest, held in solitary confinement in Kerman Prison. During this time, he has reportedly been subjected to mock executions and torture aimed at extracting forced confessions. In this regard, the Baha’i International Community has issued a statement expressing concern over his fate and calling for urgent international attention to his situation.
The Baha’i International Community, expressing concern over Naimi’s condition in a statement shared with HRANA, reported that he has endured two mock executions, torture, and prolonged interrogations, placing him at serious risk. Iranian authorities are reportedly attempting to coerce him into confessing to crimes he has not committed. Staged executions are among the most severe forms of psychological torture and are prohibited under international law. Naimi is currently held in solitary confinement in Kerman Prison and has developed involuntary eye twitching and digestive problems. Despite this, prison officials have denied him medical care.
The statement further notes that from March, Naimi was subjected to ten days of intense torture and interrogation. On some days, his hands and feet were bound and attached to a wall for up to 48 hours. In addition to physical abuse, he has faced insults targeting his religious beliefs and has repeatedly been subjected to staged executions.
A family member living outside Iran stated that his physical and psychological condition has severely deteriorated due to the mistreatment, and that during visits, he appeared emotionally broken under the pressure.
According to the statement, on February 28, Naimi was transferred to an IRGC detention facility and later returned to Kerman Prison. Authorities have claimed that he “expressed joy” on the day of Ali Khamenei’s death and that he was involved in attacks against Basij forces and the killing of a Basij member during protests on January 8. However, he had been arrested prior to the killing and, as a detainee without access to communication devices, could not have played any role in those events.
Additionally, on February 1, a video of Naimi’s forced confessions was broadcast on state television, though the conditions under which it was recorded remain unclear. To date, no trial has been held, no verdict has been issued, and no evidence has been presented to substantiate the allegations against him.
Pivand Naimi was arrested on January 8, 2026, by security forces at his workplace and transferred to Kerman Prison.
Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has faced more security and judicial pressure than any other religious minority. A review of HRA’s annual reports indicates that, over the past year, an average of 62.41% of reports concerning religious minorities involved violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.
