Tag: Yehuda Hekmati

Iranian Jewish Citizens Remain Detained in Shiraz and Tehran

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News, Religious Minorities
HRANA, Iranian Jews, Kamran Hekmati, Motahareh Goonehi, Navid Reuven, Shahab Yosef, Yehuda Hekmati

HRANA – Four Jewish citizens remain in detention in Tehran and Shiraz weeks after being arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence during the heightened security atmosphere following the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel. The detainees are being held without formal charges, and no details about their legal status or the cases against them have been made public.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the four individuals have been identified as Navid Reuven, Shahab Yosef, Kamran Hekmati, and Michael (surname unknown). All four remain in detention facilities operated by the Ministry of Intelligence.

Navid Reuven (son of Gila) and Shahab Yosef (son of Zwela) were arrested in Shiraz during the recent conflict. They are currently being held at the Ministry’s “Plaque 100” detention facility. While the specific charges against them have not been disclosed, sources report that one alleged issue in their case is the possession of an Israeli flag found in their residence.

A third detainee, previously identified by HRANA as Yehuda Hekmati, has now been confirmed as Kamran Hekmati, a 70-year-old Iranian-American Jewish citizen. His mother’s name is listed as Rivka. He was arrested upon entering Iran to visit family and is reportedly being held due to a trip he made to Israel seven years ago. He is currently detained in a Ministry of Intelligence facility in Tehran.

The fourth detainee, Michael (surname unknown), is also being held in Tehran and is expected to appear for his final interrogation session tomorrow. No information has been released regarding the charges or legal process in his case.

These arrests are part of a broader pattern of state pressure on the Jewish community in Iran. In the wake of the recent Iran-Israel conflict, at least 35 Jewish citizens in Tehran and Shiraz were reportedly summoned and interrogated by Iranian security forces. Interrogations primarily focused on the individuals’ family ties with relatives in Israel and included warnings against any phone or internet contact with foreign relatives.

In a related account, Motahareh Goonehi, a student activist recently released from the Intelligence Ministry’s detention facility, referred in a public statement to a Jewish individual named Lida. It remains unclear whether she is among the recently detained or if her case is separate. No further information is currently available regarding her status.

Iranian law passed in 2011 criminalizes travel to Israel by Iranian citizens, imposing penalties of two to five years in prison and temporary bans on passport eligibility. This law continues to impact Iranian Jews by restricting contact with family members abroad, particularly in Israel.

Despite official state claims of upholding the rights of religious minorities, including Jews, human rights experts warn that these recent arrests and interrogations may constitute religious and ethnic discrimination, violating Iran’s commitments under international human rights law.

Identity Confirmed: One of Two Detained American-Jewish Citizens in Iran Identified as Yehuda Hekmati

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News, Religious Minorities
Motahareh Goonehi, Yehuda Hekmati, یهودا حکمتی

HRANA – Amid a growing wave of summonses, arrests, and security pressure targeting Iran’s Jewish community, HRANA has confirmed the identity of one of the two American-Jewish citizens recently detained in Iran. The individual, Yehuda Hekmati, is over 70 years old and works in the jewelry and precious stones trade. His arrest is reportedly linked to a visit he made to Israel seven years ago.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Hekmati is one of two American-Jewish citizens whose arrests were first reported by Israel’s Channel 11. The detentions came amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel following a 12-day conflict. The second detainee, an Iranian-American from Los Angeles, has reportedly been released on bail, while Mr. Hekmati remains in custody. Both men are believed to have traveled to Iran to visit relatives.

A source familiar with the case confirmed efforts to secure their release, telling Hebrew-language media: “These two Americans were in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

In recent weeks, at least 35 members of Iran’s Jewish community in Tehran and Shiraz have reportedly been summoned and interrogated by security agencies. These interrogations have focused mainly on their familial ties with relatives in Israel and included warnings against any phone or online contact with people outside the country.

In a related case, student activist Motahareh Goonehi (Gounei), who was recently released from the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, mentioned a woman named Lida, whom she identified as a Jewish citizen. However, it remains unclear whether this individual is among the recently detained or connected to another security-related case.

Under Iranian law passed in 2011, travel to Israel by Iranian citizens can result in two to five years in prison and several years of passport suspension. This law has increasingly affected Iranian Jews with familial connections in Israel.

Despite the Iranian government’s official narrative about protecting the rights of religious minorities, including Jews, recent developments point to an unprecedented rise in security pressure on this community. Human rights experts warn that such actions could constitute “discrimination based on religion and ethnicity” and violate Iran’s international obligations.