HRANA – Twelve Baha’i citizens have been sentenced by the Sari Revolutionary Court to a combined 26 years and 165 days in prison and 76 years of deprivation of social rights.
According to HRANA, 12 Baha’i citizens in Sari have been sentenced to prison.
According to a verdict issued on August 20, 2026, Baha’i citizens Raquel Ataian, Keyumars Akbari, Sohrab Leghaei, Zahra Golabian, Banafsheh Asadian Arabi, Fouad Leghaei, Anahita Koushakbaghi, Nasim Samimi, Hossein Fanaian, Emilia Fanaian, Melody Samimi, and Soheil Haghdoost were convicted by Branch 1 of the Sari Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Ammar Ramezani. Under the ruling, Ataian was sentenced to four years in prison and 10 years of deprivation of social rights. Each of the other defendants was sentenced to two years and 15 days in prison and six years of deprivation of social rights.
The verdict states that the charge against these citizens was “engaging in educational and promotional activities contrary and detrimental to the sacred Islamic Sharia, with the aim of promoting and encouraging the Baha’i sect.” Court hearings on the charges against these citizens were held on August 1, 2, and 3, 2026, before the same branch.
A source close to one of the Baha’i citizens confirmed the news to HRANA and, describing the proceedings in the case, said: “The first hearing on the charges against these citizens was held in May 2024 before Branch 1 of the Sari Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Shoja Zoghi. Due to deficiencies in the investigation, the court returned the case to the investigative branch three times. However, because the deficiencies were not addressed, the case was removed from the branch’s docket. It was subsequently referred to Branch 104 of the Qaem Shahr Criminal Court, presided over by Judge Reza Majazi, where hearings were held on July 12 and 13, 2025.”
The source added: “During these proceedings, Soheil Haghdoost and his wife, Raquel Ataian, were arrested and were unable to attend the hearings. Following their temporary release, the two were tried separately from the other defendants. The Criminal Court subsequently issued a ruling declaring that it lacked jurisdiction and referred the case back to Branch 1 of the Sari Revolutionary Court. After holding three hearings, the branch ultimately issued its verdict.”
The source further stated: “During her detention last year, Raquel Ataian faced a new judicial case. By decision of Branch 104 of the Qaem Shahr Criminal Court, the proceedings in that case were consolidated with this case. Ultimately, both cases resulted in a verdict issued by Branch 1 of the Sari Revolutionary Court.”
Previously, final defense sessions for these 12 Baha’i citizens were held separately in March 2024 before Branch 6 of the Investigative Office of the Qaem Shahr Prosecutor’s Office, presided over by Reza Majazi. Prior to that, security forces had searched their homes, and each of them had received a separate text message informing them that a judicial case had been opened against them at the Qaem Shahr Prosecutor’s Office.
