Category: Religious Minorities

Baha’i Photojournalist Artin Ghazanfari Remains in Legal Limbo at Greater Tehran Penitentiary

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News, Religious Minorities
Artin Ghazanfari, HRANA, آرتین غضنفری

HRANA – More than five months after his arrest, Artin Ghazanfari, a Baha’i citizen and photojournalist, remains detained without legal resolution at Greater Tehran Penitentiary.

A source close to the family, who confirmed the information to HRANA, said: “Artin Ghazanfari has now been held at Greater Tehran Penitentiary for 170 days without legal resolution. His judicial case remains in limbo, and no court hearing has been held for him to date.”

A previously informed source had told HRANA that Mr. Ghazanfari suffers from several medical conditions, including heart failure, asthma, and high blood pressure, and requires daily medication. Despite repeated efforts by his family to secure his temporary release through judicial authorities, the relevant officials have refused to grant him provisional release.

Mr. Ghazanfari was arrested on January 19, 2026, at his home in Tehran. At the same time, security agents searched both his residence and workplace, confiscating a number of electronic devices, books, and his personal and professional equipment.

As of the time of this report, no information has been made available regarding the charges brought against this Baha’i citizen.

Artin Ghazanfari, a Baha’i citizen and photojournalist, has previously served a prison sentence due to his activities.

Over the past decade, Iran’s Baha’i community has faced more security and judicial persecution than any other religious minority in the country. According HRA’s annual reports, an average of 62.41% of all reported violations of the rights of religious minorities during the past year involved violations of the rights of Baha’is.

Baha’i Citizen Mitra Bandi Amirabadi Sentenced to Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
HRANA, Mitra Bandi Amirabadi, Yazd, میترا بندر امیرآبادی

HRANA – Mitra Bandi Amirabadi, a Baha’i resident of Yazd, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Yazd to five years of discretionary imprisonment and a 10-year deprivation of social rights. Three years of the prison sentence have been suspended for a period of three years.

According to HRANA, Mitra Bandi Amirabadi has been sentenced to prison. Under a ruling issued by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Yazd, this Baha’i citizen was convicted on the charge of “deviant propaganda activity contrary to the sacred law of Islam through the promotion of the Baha’i faith,” under Article 500 bis of the Islamic Penal Code. She was sentenced to five years of discretionary imprisonment and a 10-year deprivation of social rights. Three years of her prison sentence have been suspended for a period of three years.

If the verdict is upheld on appeal, Ms. Bandi Amirabadi will be required to serve two years of discretionary imprisonment.

On June 17, 2025, security forces searched the home of this Baha’i citizen. The search was carried out around midnight, and officers confiscated a number of electronic devices, personal belongings, and several religious books.

Mitra Bandi Amirabadi, a Baha’i resident of Yazd, has previously been arrested and convicted because of her religious beliefs.

Appeals Court Upholds Prison Sentences of Five Christian Converts

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News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Aida Najaflou, Joseph Shahbazian, Lida Alexsani, Nasser Navard Gol-Tappeh

HRANA – The Tehran Province Court of Appeals has upheld the prison sentences of five Christian converts, four of whom have been identified as Aida Najaflou, Nasser Navard Gol-Tappeh, Joseph Shahbazian, and Lida Alexsani (Alek-Sani). The five had previously been sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court to a combined total of 55 years in prison.

According to a report by Article 18, the Tehran Province Court of Appeals recently issued its ruling, fully affirming the original verdicts. The decision was officially communicated to the defendants on June 22, 2026.

In December 2025, the Tehran Revolutionary Court had sentenced the defendants. Under the ruling, Nasser Navard Gol-Tappeh, Joseph Shahbazian, and another Christian convert involved in the case were each sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment, while Lida Alexsani received eight years in prison. Aida Najaflou was sentenced to a total of 17 years’ imprisonment. However, under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, which provides for the enforcement of only the most severe sentence in cases involving multiple convictions, she will serve 10 years, the longest of her sentences.

The first hearing in the case against Aida Najaflou, Nasser Navard Gol-Tappeh, and Joseph Shahbazian was held on September 6, 2025, in Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Abolghasem Salavati. They defended themselves against charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “acting against national security.”

The indictment was issued by the Evin Prosecutor’s Office on June 10, 2025. According to the final indictment, the charges were based on establishing, organizing, and leading a house church, conducting evangelical Christian house gatherings, and performing religious ceremonies such as baptism and Holy Communion.

Lida Alexsani was arrested at her home by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence on April 13, 2025. On May 13, 2025, she was released from Evin Prison after posting bail.

Aida Najaflou was also released from Evin Prison on bail on December 21, 2025. She had previously been transferred on April 13, 2025, from The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison, to the prison’s women’s ward. She had originally been arrested by security forces on February 6, 2025.

Nasser Navard Gol-Tappeh and Joseph Shahbazian, who were arrested on the same date and transferred to Evin Prison, remain in custody.

Both Nasser Navard Gol-Tappeh and Joseph Shahbazian, Christian converts residing in Tehran, have previously been arrested and imprisoned because of their religious activities.

Three Azerbaijani-Turk Activists Arrested in Ardabil Province

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News, Religious Minorities
Ali Vaseghi, Ardabil, Asgar Akbarzadeh, Azerbaijani Turk activists, Meshgin Shahr, Siamak Mirzaie

HRANA – Siamak Mirzaie, Asgar Akbarzadeh, and Ali Vaseghi, Azerbaijani-Turk activists, were arrested by security forces this morning in the cities of Meshgin Shahr and Ardabil.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), three Azerbaijani-Turk activists have been arrested in Ardabil Province.

At around 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 28, 2026, security forces arrested Siamak Mirzaie in Meshgin Shahr, while Asgar Akbarzadeh and Ali Vaseghi were arrested in the city of Ardabil. Their families have not been informed which agency carried out the arrests, nor have they received any information regarding the activists’ whereabouts or condition.

The reasons for their arrests and any charges brought against these three Azerbaijani-Turk activists remain unknown.

These individuals have previously been arrested and imprisoned due to their civil activism.

Baha’i Citizen Saeed Hassani Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities
HRANA, IRGC Intelligence, Saeed Hassani

HRANA – On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, Saeed Hassani, a Baha’i resident of Shiraz, was arrested by agents of the IRGC Intelligence Organization and transferred to Adel Abad Prison in the city.

According to HRANA, Baha’i citizen Saeed Hassani has been arrested in Shiraz.

A source close to Mr. Hassani’s family confirmed the arrest to HRANA, stating: “At approximately 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, agents of the IRGC Intelligence Organization went to Saeed Hassani’s workplace and arrested him. Following his arrest, he was transferred to Adelabad Prison in Shiraz.”

According to the same informed source, after the arrest, security agents also searched Mr. Hassani’s home and confiscated several personal belongings and electronic devices, including his mobile phone.

As of the time of this report, the reasons for his arrest and any charges brought against him remain unknown.

Saeed Hassani, a 37-year-old Baha’i citizen, has previously faced arrest and judicial prosecution due to his activities. He was arrested in July 2016 and released several months later after posting bail.

Over the past decade, Iran’s Baha’i community has faced more security-related arrests and judicial persecution than any other religious minority in the country. HRA’s annual reports indicate that, over the past three years, an average of 72% of all reported violations of the rights of religious minorities have involved violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

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Baha’i Citizens Sima Septo and Nahid Falahati Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizens, Nahid Falahati, Shiraz, Sima Septo, سیما سپتو, ناهید فلاحت

HRANA – Sima Septo and Nahid Falahati, Baha’i residents of Shiraz, were arrested at their homes by security forces on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, Sima Septo and Nahid Falahati have been arrested. According to information received by HRANA, on Tuesday, June 23, security forces raided the homes of these two Baha’i citizens and arrested them. However, the agency responsible for their arrests has not yet been identified.

No information has so far been obtained regarding the reasons for their arrests or their place of detention.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to more security and judicial persecution than any other religious minority. A review of HRA’s annual reports shows that, over the past three years, an average of 72 percent of reports concerning religious minorities have been related to violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

Baha’i Citizen Nouyan Hejazi Arrested and Hospitalized After Alleged Beating by Intelligence Agents

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Nouyan Hejazi, نویان حجازی

HRANA – Nouyan Hejazi, a Baha’i resident of Sari, was arrested after appearing at the Ministry of Intelligence office in the city to retrieve personal belongings that had previously been confiscated. During his arrest, he was reportedly beaten and, due to the injuries he sustained, was transferred to a hospital. He is currently hospitalized under the supervision of security forces.

A source familiar with the situation and close to Hejazi’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Yesterday, officers from the Ministry of Intelligence in Sari contacted this Baha’i citizen and asked him to visit their office to collect several personal items that had been confiscated during his previous arrest. After he appeared at the security institution, he was arrested and subjected to violence and physical assault.”

According to the source, Mr. Hejazi sustained injuries as a result of the beating and was transferred to a hospital later that same day. He remains hospitalized under the control and supervision of security agents.

In late-Mayof this year, Nouyan Hejazi was sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Juybar to imprisonment, a monetary fine, and deprivation of certain social rights.

On June 25 of 2025, Hejazi was arrested at his home by security forces without the presentation of a judicial warrant. He was released on bail on August 3 of the same year.

His wife, Leva Samimi, was also arrested when she went to the Kachouei Detention Center in Sari to follow up on her husband’s situation. She was released on bail some time later.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has faced more security-related and judicial pressure than any other religious minority in the country. According to HRA’s annual reports, an average of 62.41% of all reported violations against religious minorities during the previous calendar year involved violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

Baha’i Citizen Ahmad Naeimi Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities
Ahmad Naeimi, Baha'i citizen, HRANA, Yazd, احمد نعیمی

HRANA – On Saturday, June 13, Ahmad Naeimi, a Baha’i resident of Yazd, was arrested after appearing before Branch 6 of the Investigation Office of the Yazd Prosecutor’s Office.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Naeimi was detained on June 13, after appearing before Branch 6 of the Investigation Office of the Yazd Prosecutor’s Office.

A source close to the family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Naeimi is facing a new legal case. In this case, he and his wife, Flora Samadani, are co-defendants. The Prosecutor’s Office also opposed his release on bail.”

Mr. Naeimi had previously been summoned to the Prosecutor’s Office to provide certain explanations. As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding his place of detention.

Ahmad Naeimi has previously faced arrest and judicial harassment due to his religious beliefs and faith. His wife, Flora Samadani, was arrested by security forces in Yazd on May 3, 2026, and transferred to Yazd Prison.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to more security and judicial persecution than any other religious minority. An examination of the annual reports published by HRA indicates that during the past calendar year, an average of 62.41% of all reported violations of the rights of religious minorities involved violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

Abdolaziz Omarzahi Arrested in Zahedan

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News, Religious Minorities
Molavi Abdolaziz Omarzehi, Zahedan

HRANA – Molavi Abdolaziz Omarzahi, a Sunni cleric and former instructor at Darul Uloom Makki, a Sunni seminary in Zahedan, was arrested by security forces on the evening of Tuesday, June 9, and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to Haal Vsh, Abdolaziz Omarzahi, a former instructor at Darul Uloom Makki in Zahedan, was arrested by security forces.

According to the report, agents of the Ministry of Intelligence arrested Mr. Omarzahi on Tuesday evening while he was on his way home after leaving Makki Mosque. He was detained on one of the streets of Zahedan.

As of the time of this report, no information has been released regarding his whereabouts, physical condition, or any charges that may have been brought against him.

Molavi Abdolaziz Omarzahi has previously faced arrest and judicial action in connection with his activities.

Baha’i Citizen Parsa Najafi Arrested in Isfahan

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, HRANA, Isfahan, Isfahan Prison, Parsa Najafi, پارسا نجفی

HRANA – On Saturday, June 6, Parsa Najafi, a Baha’i resident of Isfahan, was arrested by security forces at his home and transferred to Isfahan Prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, on June 6, at approximately 9:30 a.m., security agents entered Mr. Najafi’s family home and arrested him. The arrest was reportedly accompanied by violence and insulting behavior by the agents.

A source familiar with the family’s situation confirmed the incident to HRANA, stating: “Parsa’s family was informed through a brief phone call that he had been transferred to Isfahan Prison following his arrest. At the same time, security agents searched the family home. During the search, a number of personal items belonging to him and his family members were seized, including mobile phones, personal laptops, bank cards, identity documents, passports, paintings, and educational and academic books.”

HRANA has learned that the residence of this Baha’i citizen had previously been searched by security agents on December 22, 2024.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for Mr. Najafi’s arrest or any charges brought against him.

Parsa Najafi is a 19-year-old Baha’i citizen and resident of Isfahan.

Over the past decade, Iran’s Baha’i community has been subjected to more security and judicial pressure than any other religious minority in the country. A review of HRA’s annual reports indicates that during the past calendar year, an average of 62.41% of all reported violations concerning religious minorities involved violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.