Category: Religious Minorities

Two Christians Summoned & Arrested in Shahriar

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Freedom of Expression, Religious Minorities
Fariborz A

HRANA News Agency – On Monday and Tuesday of this week, intelligent agents raided the houses of two Christians in Shahriar, Karaj, and arrested one and summoned the other individual.

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), on October 17, 2011, intelligent agents raided a citizen’s house in Shahriar but were unable to detain him since he was not home.This individual has been identified as “Mohammad N.”Security agents searched the house and confiscated a computer, books and CDs containing religious teachings and summoned Mohammad N. to the Intelligent Agency.

Similarly, on October 18, 2011, intelligent agents raided Fariborz A.’s house in Shahriar and arrested him.Fariborz A. is a newly converted Christian.During this raid, security agents searched the house and seized his personal property.

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Total of 30 Years in Prison for Baha’i University Officials

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Religious Minorities
Farhad Sedghi, Kamran Mortezahi, Mahmoud Badavam, Noshin Khadam, Ramin Zibaie, Riaz Sobhani, Vahid Mahmodi

HRANA News Agency – Seven professors and officials involved in Baha’i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) have been sentenced to a total of 30 years in prison.BIHE is a provisional online university established for Baha’i citizens who have been denied the opportunity to study at Iran’s higher education institutes.

According to the Committee of Human Rights Reporters, during the last couple of days, Judge Moqayaseh presiding over the 28th branch of the Revolutionary Court has sentenced seven Baha’i citizens to a total of 30 years in prison.The defendants were present in the courtroom when the verdicts were read.Defense attorneys objected to the rulings and filed appeals on behalf of their clients.The verdicts are as follows:

 

  • Kamran Mortezahi – 5 years imprisonment
  • Vahid Mahmodi – 5 years imprisonment
  • Riaz Sobhani – 4 years imprisonment
  • Mahmoud Badavam – 4 years imprisonment
  • Ramin Zibaie – 4 years imprisonment
  • Farhad Sedghi – 4 years imprisonment
  • Noshin Khadam – 4 years imprisonment


Citing Article 499 of the Islamic Penal Code, Judge Moqayaseh sentenced seven Baha’i professors and university officials for being involved in an illegal group with the intention to commit crimes against Iran’s national security.These seven individuals together with nearly 300,000 other citizens throughout the country are members of Iran’s Baha’i Community outlawed by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

On May 22, 2011, Iranian security forces raided the houses of more than 40 Baha’i professors, students and university officials and arrested six of the aforementioned individuals.Riaz Sobhani was arrested separately on June 13, 2011.During the last few months, more than 20 Baha’i citizens connected to the online university have been detained, and nearly 50 individuals have been summoned to the Intelligence Agency.Furthermore, several buildings including a laboratory have been sealed, and the university’s website has been filtered and blocked multiple times.

Last week, all of the defendants with the exception of Noshin Khadam were transferred to Rajai-Shahr Prison.On October 15, 2011, Noshin Khadam was transferred to the women’s ward in Evin Prison.

Copyright © 2009-2011 All Rights Reserved

Twenty One Baha’i Citizens Arrested in Esfahan

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Religious Minorities
Anisa Daneshgar, Arman Rahimi, Ataullah Daneshgar, Darab Yazdani, Dariush Dastpiesh, Dina Safarpour, Fardoas Niki, Farid Eshtiagh, Farzad Rohani, Fazel Behnam, Heshmatullah Niki, Laleh Namjoian, Lava Daneshgar, Parisa Rahmani, Roheia Hakimon, Saha Behnam, Samira Ghaneh, Shahla Sanaei, Sohela Davardan, Sohela Vahedian, Taj Almalok Janamian

HRANA News Agency – On Thursday, September 29, 2011, twenty one Baha’i citizens were arrested in Esfahan and taken to an unknown location.  Amongst the detainees, there was a 9 year old child.

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), on Thursday, Iranian security agents arrested the following Baha’i citizens in Esfahan:

 

  1. Anisa Daneshgar
  2. Arman Rahimi
  3. Ataullah Daneshgar
  4. Darab Yazdani
  5. Dariush Dastpiesh
  6. Dina Safarpour (9 years old)
  7. Fardoas Niki
  8. Farid Eshtiagh
  9. Farzad Rohani
  10. Fazel Behnam
  11. Heshmatullah Niki
  12. Laleh Namjoian
  13. Lava Daneshgar
  14. Parisa Rahmani
  15. Roheia Hakimon
  16. Saha Behnam
  17. Samira Ghaneh
  18. Shahla Sanaei
  19. Sohela Davardan
  20. Sohela Vahedian
  21. Taj Almalok Janamian


On Saturday, October 1, 2011, Dina Safarpour, Shahla Sanaei, Fardoas Niki, Saha Behnam, Sohela Davardan, Samira Ghaneh, Sohela Vahedian and Taj Almalok Janamian were released.Thirteen other detainees still remain in custody while their whereabouts are unknown.

After these Baha’i citizens were arrested, the houses of Parisa Rahmani, Farzad Rohani and Ataullah Daneshgar were searched and Baha’i religious artifacts were confiscated.

Copyright © 2009-2011 All Rights Reserved

Gonabadi Dervish, Abbas Sharyati, Arrested in Yazd

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Religious Minorities
Abbas Sharyati, Gonabadi Dervish, Nimatullahi Gonabadi, Nusrat Tabasi

HRANA News Agency – On Thursday morning, September 29, 2011, Abbas Sharyati, a member of Nimatullahi Gonabadi Sufi Sect, was arrested in Yazd.The number of arrests continues to rise as pressure on Gonabadi dervishes increase throughout the country.

According to a report by the Campaign to Protect Dervishes’ Rights, a group of security agents arrested Abbas Sharyati in Yazd and took him to an unknown location.Thus far, the reason for this arrest has not been announced, and Abbas Sharyati’s whereabouts are unknown.

On Wednesday, September 28, 2011, Nusrat Tabasi, another detained member of Nimatullahi Gonabadi Sufi Sect, was transferred from solitary confinement, Ward 209, to the general population in Evin Prison.Nusrat Tabasi is a member of Majzooban Nur, Nimatullahi Gonabadi Order website.

Copyright © 2009-2011 All Rights Reserved

Seven Gonabadi Dervishes Arrested in Front of Evin

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Religious Minorities
Ali Babaie, Arash Shaltoki, Davood Mehrdad, Mehdi Rahmati, Nemat Kazemi, Nimatullahi Gonabadi, Ramin Ashkohe, Taymour Homayouni

HRANA News Agency – On Monday, September 19, 2011, seven members of Nimatullahi Gonabadi Sufi Sect were arrested when they answered to a call to attend a gathering in front of Evin Prison in order to protest against the killing of a citizen in the capital city of Kavar County, Fars Province, and the imprisonment of other dervishes.

According to a report by Majzooban Nur, Nimatullahi Gonabadi Order News Site, security forces and plain clothes agents who were present in front of Evin Prison arrested Arash Shaltoki, Nemat Kazemi, Taymour Homayouni, Ali Babaie, Ramin Ashkohe, Mehdi Rahmati and Davood Mehrdad.

All roads leading to and from Evin Prison were monitored closely by security agents since last night, and Special Forces Guards were stationed in front of this prison from early morning hours on Monday.Due to heavy presence of security agents, Nimatullahi Gonabadi Sufi Sect cancelled its call for the gathering.

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Five Christians Sentenced to Prison

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Religious Minorities
Behroz Sadeq Khanjani, Mehdi Forotan, Mehrdad Gharoni, Mohammad Belyad, Nazli Kamarian, Parviz Khalaj, Yosef Nadarkhani

HRANA News Agency – Last week, five Iranian Christians were sentenced to a total of 5 years in prison despite the fact that they were exonerated of all charges by a lower court.They were retried because the prosecutor had objected to the initial verdicts.

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), the Appeals Court of Fars Province has handed down a one year prison term for Behroz Sadeq Khanjani, Mohammad Belyad, Nazli Kamarian, Parviz Khalaj and Mehdi Forotan.

Mathias Hagh-Nejad who was recently released on a bail approximately equivalent to $28,000 confirmed the verdicts against these individuals and said, “Additionally, I am waiting for my trial, and Mehrdad Gharoni, another Christian citizen, is locked up behind bars in the Intelligence Agency’s detention center in Esfahan.Yosef Nadarkhani will also be tried in Gilan’s Revolutionary Court, Branch 11, on September 25, 2011.

After the new verdicts were issued by the Appeals Court, these five Christian citizens were summoned to serve their prison terms.

Today, Christian Democratic Union in Germany released a letter written to Iranian Embassy to vehemently object to the incarceration of Yosef Nadarkhani and to ask for his immediate release.Yosef Nadarkhani is a Christian priest sentenced by Gilan’s Revolutionary Court to die on charges of apostasy.

 

Basiji Forces Opened Fire at Gonabadi Dervishes

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Religious Minorities
Majzooban Nur, Nimatullahi Gonabadi

HRANA News Agency – Sources related to Nimatullahi Gonabadi Sufi Sect have reported that a few hours ago, Basiji Militia opened fire at the members of this sect in the capital city of Kavar County, Fars Province.The shooting lasted almost an hour until Special Forces Unit dispatched from Shiraz put an end to it.

According to a report by Majzooban Nur, Nimatullahi Gonabadi Order News Site, clashes began when Basiji Militia shot tear gas canisters and also bullets at the members of Gonabadi Sufi Sect.Basiji agents then raided houses and set stores on fire.Following the outbreak of conflicts in the Kavar County, security forces installed closed-circuit cameras in assembly halls where religious ceremonies were held and prevented the members of Gonabadi Sufi Sect to enter the city of Kavar.

This report also explains the reason for the outbreak of violence in Kavar County:Apparently, when a young Muslim seminary student distributed pamphlets and CDs amongst Basiji forces and chanted “Death to American Dervish,” militia members were incited to act against Gonabadi Sufi Sect and set dervishes’ stores ablaze.

During today’s clashes, a number of individuals on both sides of the conflict were injured.Kavar County is now under tense military and security measures.

 

More Than Fifty Baha’i Citizens Imprisoned in Iran

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Religious Minorities
Afif Naimi, Ali Bakhesh Bazr Afkan, Ali Ehsani, Behfar Khanjani, Behnoosh Dadgar, Behrooz Tavakoli, Behruz Behamin, Dari Amri, Davar Nabilzadeh, Farhad Sadaghi, Farhod Eshtiagh, Fariba Kamalabadi, Farshid Badakhsh, Homman Bakhtavar, Houshang Fanaian, Jalayer Vahdat, Jamal Aldin Khanjani, Kamran Mortezaie, Kavyz Nozdehi, Kayvan Dehghani, Kiumars Bahin-A’in, Mahmoud Badavam, Mahvash Sabet, Malieh Roozbehe, Manijeh Nasrollahi, Mehran Bandi, Nahid Ghadiry, Nasrin Ghadiri, Navid Parvini, Negar Sobhanian, Noshin Khadem, Parvaneh Behamin, Payman Kashfi, Raha Sabet, Ramin Zibei, Rezita Vaseghi, Riyaz Sabhani, Sahba Rezvani, Saied Rezaie, Sama Norani, Samira Samiei, Shahnaz Talehi, Shamim Bahin-A’in, Sholeh Taief, Siamak Ayghani, Sima Eshraghi, Sima Rajabiyan, Sina Ravankard, Susan Tabyaniyan, Tareh Taghizadeh, Vahid Mahmoudi, Vahid Misaghian, Vahid Tizfahm

HRANA News Agency – While in various international gatherings and interviews conducted with foreign media, Iranian government officials continue to claim that no one is imprisoned in Iran because of their beliefs, according to official statistics, there are more than 50 Baha’i citizens either temporarily detained or serving prison terms in various cities throughout Iran.Additionally, there is at least the same number of Baha’i citizens waiting to be tried or sentenced in different cities all over the country.

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), in various cities including Tehran, Karaj, Esfahan, Shiraz, Semnan, Mashhad, Urmia, Tabriz, Pars Abad, Ghaem Shahr, Babol, Sari, Kerman, Rafsanjan, Sanandaj, Yasuj and Kermanshah, there are a large number of Baha’i citizens who are in a legal state of limbo with their future uncertain.

All of these Baha’i citizens have been arrested, charged or convicted of propaganda against the regime by the virtue of their Baha’i faith or acting against the national security through attending religious Baha’i gatherings, membership in Baha’i organizations, managing Baha’i communities in cities or the whole country, or defending the rights of Baha’i citizens in Iran.

Baha’i citizens who are imprisoned in Iran’s official prisons or the detention centers operated by the Intelligence Agency include:

Evin Prison – Women’s Ward

1. Mahvash Sabet – Sentenced to 20 years in prison (Previous member of Iranian Baha’i Governing Council)
2. Fariba Kamalabadi – Sentenced to 20 years in prison (Previous member of Iranian Baha’i Governing Council)
3. Manijeh Nasrollahi – Sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison (Transferred from Semnan Prison)
4. Sahba Rezvani – Sentenced to 3 years and 1 months in prison (Transferred from Semnan Prison)
5. Susan Tabyaniyan – Sentenced to 1 ½ years in prison (Transferred from Semnan Prison)
6. Sholeh Taief – Sentenced to 1 year in prison (Transferred from Semnan Prison)

Evin Prison – Ward 350

7. Sama Norani – Sentenced to 1 year in prison
8. Payman Kashfi – Sentenced to 4 years in prisonArtin Ghazanfari – Sentenced to 1 year in prison

Evin Prison – Temporarily Detention / Interrogation

9. Kiumars Bahin-A’in – Transferred from Esfahan Prison
10. Shamim Bahin-A’in – Transferred from Esfahan Prison
11. Sina Ravankard – Transferred from Yasuj Prison
12. Parvaneh Behamin – Transferred from Yasuj Prison (A resident of Kata Village)
13. Behruz Behamin – Transferred from Shiraz Prison
14. Malieh Roozbehe (Roozkhosh) – Transferred from Shahravazlar in Fars Province
15. Behnoosh Dadgar – Transferred from Esfahan Prison
16. Kamran Mortezaie – Imprisoned in relation to Baha’i Provisional University
17. Vahid Mahmoudi – Imprisoned in relation to Baha’i Provisional University
18. Ramin Zibei – Imprisoned in relation to Baha’i Provisional University
19. Noshin Khadem – Imprisoned in relation to Baha’i Provisional University
20. Mahmoud Badavam – Imprisoned in relation to Baha’i Provisional University
21. Farhad Sadaghi – Imprisoned in relation to Baha’i Provisional University
22. Riyaz Sabhani – Probably imprisoned in relation to Baha’i Provisional University

Rajai Shahr Prison – Karaj

23. Jamal Aldin Khanjani – Sentenced to 20 years in prison (Previous member of Iranian Baha’i Governing Council)
24. Afif Naimi – Sentenced to 20 years in prison (Previous member of Iranian Baha’i Governing Council)
25. Behrooz Tavakoli – Sentenced to 20 years in prison (Previous member of Iranian Baha’i Governing Council)
26. Saied Rezaie – Sentenced to 20 years in prison (Previous member of Iranian Baha’i Governing Council)
27. Vahid Tizfahm – Sentenced to 20 years in prison (Previous member of Iranian Baha’i Governing Council)

Mashhad

28. Sima Eshraghi – Sentenced to 5 years in prison
29. Rezita Vaseghi – Sentenced to 5 years in prison (New case open)
30. Nahid Ghadiry – Sentenced to 5 years in prison (New case open)
31. Davar Nabilzadeh – Sentenced to 5 years in prison
32. Jalayer Vahdat – Sentenced to 5 years in prison
33. Kavyz Nozdehi – Sentenced to 2 years in prison
34. Sima Rajabiyan – Sentenced to 2 years in prison
35. Nasrin Ghadiri – Sentenced to 2 years in prison
36. Homman Bakhtavar – Sentenced to 2 years in prison
37. Dari Amri – Held in Mashhad Intelligence Agency Detention Center
38. Farhod Eshtiagh – Held in Mashhad Intelligence Agency Detention Center (Transferred from Esfahan Prison)

Semnan

39. Behfar Khanjani – Sentenced to 4 years in prison
40. Siamak Ayghani – Sentenced to 3 years in prison
41. Ali Ehsani – Sentenced to 2 years in prison

Khash

42. Mehran Bandi – Sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison (Transferred from Yazd Prison)

Sari

43. Tareh Taghizadeh – Sentenced to 22 months in prison
44. Samira Samiei – Sentenced to 6 months in prison

Amol

45. Houshang Fanaian – Sentenced to 4 years in prison

Shiraz

46. Raha Sabet – Sentenced to 4 years in prison

Esfahan

47. Vahid Misaghian – In temporary custody by Intelligence Agency
48. Shahnaz Talehi – In temporary custody by Intelligence Agency
49. Kayvan Dehghani – In temporary custody by Intelligence Agency
50. Navid Parvini – In temporary custody by Intelligence Agency
51. Negar Sobhanian – In temporary custody by Intelligence Agency
52. Farshid Badakhsh – In temporary custody by Intelligence Agency

Yasuj

53. Ali Bakhesh Bazr Afkan – Sentenced to 2 years and six months in prison

 

Baha’i Residents in Kata Village Arrested

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Religious Minorities
Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, Yasuj

HRANA News Agency – During the last three weeks, Iranian security forces have raided Baha’i residents’ houses in the village of Kata and arrested a large number of them.The village of Kata is situated in northwestern Iran at the outskirts of Yasuj, the capital of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province.

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), during these raids, Iranian security officers have arrested a large number of Baha’i citizens without showing an arrest warrant.

It has been reported that a number of the detainee have been transferred to Shiraz while the whereabouts of the rest is unknown.

In the village of Kata, there are about fifty Baha’i families who are farmers living off the land.Since these families’ breadwinners have been arrested, their farmland and crops are left unattended and consequently being destroyed little by little.