Category: Religious Minorities

Baha’i Citizen Hami Bahadori Sentenced to Six Years in Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Evin Prison, Hami Bahadori

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency-Hami Bahadori, a Baha’i citizen, has been sentenced to six years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. He is currently being held in Evin Prison.

On June 21, Judge Salavati, presiding over branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, issued a verdict stating that Bahadori is to serve five years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” Additionally, Bahadori has been banned from leaving the country for two years, and some of his and his wife’s belongings have been confiscated.

Should the verdict be upheld on appeal, in accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the five-year prison term for the charge of “assembly and collusion” will be enforceable.

According to a reliable source, Bahadori was not provided with prior notice of his trial and was denied the presence of his lawyer. He received this verdict immediately following the court session.

Bahadori was arrested by security forces on October 22, 2022, and subsequently detained in Evin Prison. Recently, he expressed his grievances about the unjust treatment of religious minorities within the judicial system through a written letter.

According to HRANA annual report, from the total human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the violation of the rights of Baha’is.

 

 

13 Baha’i Citizens Sentenced to Over 40 Years in Prison Combined

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News, Religious Minorities
Afif Naimi, Alborz province, Baha'i citizens, Bita Momtazi, Elham Shareghi Arani, HRANA, Kamyar Habibi, Karaj, Mahsa Tirgar, Nakisa Rezaie, Negin Rezaie, Rameleh Tirgarnejad, Sabin Yazdani, Sadaf Sheikhzadeh, Sahba Adyani, Saman Ostovar, Shahrzad Mastouri

The Court of Appeals in Karaj has issued a combined sentence of 40 years and seven months, along with additional punishments, for 13 Baha’i citizens.

The verdicts state that Afif Na’imi (Naeimi) will serve seven years, while Saman Ostovar and Kamyar Habibi will each serve five years. Rameleh Tirgarnejad, Elham Shareghi Arani, and Sabin Yazdani have been sentenced to three years. Mahsa Tirgar, Shahrzad Mastouri, Sadaf Sheikhzadeh, Negin Rezaie, Nakisa Rezaie, Sahba Adyani, and Bita Momtazi will serve two years and one month. Additionally, all individuals have been fined, prohibited from leaving the country, and restricted from residing in Alborz Province, along with other social deprivations.
They have been convicted of multiple charges such as “insulting and propaganda against Islamic Sharia, forming and running groups to act against national security through preaching Baha’i faith to children in Kindergartens, promoting against Islamic Sharia through holding coaching courses.”

The court session took place on June 15, 2023, without notifying their lawyers. The initial sentences have now been upheld and will be enforced within ten days, as confirmed by a reliable source who spoke to HRANA.

These citizens were detained during the summer of the previous year. While the specific grounds for the charges remain undisclosed, they appear to be related to their educational activities for children in Alborz Province, particularly preschool children. The Iranian regime perceives the peaceful activities of Baha’is in providing humanitarian aid and education as a threat to its own ideology.

According to HRANA annual report, from the total human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the violation of the rights of Baha’is.

Update on Bahai Citizen Payam Vali’s Condition in Ghezel Hesar Prison

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News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj, Payam Vali, Rajai Shahr Prison

Payam Vali, a Baha’i citizen, is currently serving a six-year sentence in Ghezel Hesar Prison, located in Karaj. He has been denied access to make a phone call to his family, as ordered by prison officials.

According to a reliable source who spoke to HRANA, Vali’s phone card has been blocked. He is also prohibitd from purchasing any item from the prison store. The source revealed that this prohibition was imposed after Vali gave a message via phone addressing the speakers of the Iranian Parliament.

In addition, another source close to Vali’s family informed HRANA that since late May, he has only had one visitation with his family. Furthermore, other prisoners have been threatened to refrain from providing Vali with their phone cards.

On September 24, 2022, security forces arrested Vali at his residence in Karaj, subsequently conducting a search of his house and detaining him in Rajai Shahr Prison. He was later relocated to Ghezel Hesar prison.

On May 10, 2023, the Alborz Court of Appeals sentenced Vali to six years for “collaboration with adversary countries,” three years and one month for “inciting people to commit violence,” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the first charge carries an enforceable prison term of six years. It is worth noting that Vali had initially been sentenced in February 2023 to ten, five, and one-year terms for the respective charges mentioned above.

According to HRANA annual report, from the full human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the violation of the rights of Baha’is.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

Baha’i Citizen Hami Bahadori Remains in Detention for Six Months

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Evin Prison, Hami Bahadori

Baha’i citizen Hami Bahadori continues to be detained for over six months with no signs of release. The Tehran Revolutionary Court has scheduled a second court hearing for June 10, 2023.

According to an informed source, Bahadori was supposed to be released on bail after being indicted on January 3, 2023. However, Judge Salavati has refused to grant him bail, despite numerous pleas from his family. The judicial officials have shown no willingness to consider their requests.

On October 22, 2022, security forces arrested 26-year-old Bahadori and transferred him to Evin prison. The first court session was held on March 5, 2023, at the Tehran Revolutionary Court, where Bahadori faced charges of “assembly and collusion against national security,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “promoting the Baha’i faith.”

Bahadori recently penned a letter expressing his grievances about the unjust treatment of religious minorities within the judicial system.

Baha’i Citizen Shahdokht Khanjani Arrested in Semnan

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Semnan, Shahdokht Khanjani

HHRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency -On May 29, 2023, security forces apprehended Shahdokht Khanjani, a Baha’i woman, at her residence in Semnan and transported her to an undisclosed location.

According to a reliable source who spoke to HRANA, “Four agents raided her home and took her into custody. During the arrest, the agents conducted a search of her residence and confiscated some personal belongings belonging to her and her family.”

The reasons behind her arrest, her current whereabouts, and the specific charges against her remain undisclosed at this time. Khanjani, a mother of two children, is a resident of Semnan.

According to HRANA annual report, from the total human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the violation of the rights of Baha’is.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

 

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Two Yarsan Believers Arrested in Kermanshah

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Freedom of Expression, News, Religious Minorities
Faribrorz Shah-Ebrahimi, Khalil Alinejad, Seyed Farhad Zonnouri, Yarsanism

Fariborz Shah-Ebrahimi and Seyed Farhad Zonnouri, followers of the Yarsan belief, were apprehended by security forces in Sahneh, Kermanshah Province on May 23, 2023, as reported by Kurdpa.

The arrest reportedly took place at their residences in a forceful manner, without the presentation of any arrest warrant.

According to an informed source, these people were arrested at their residences violently. The agents reportedly did not show any arrest warrant.
This is not the first instance of their persecution for their religious beliefs and practices. On November 18, 2022, they were violently detained during the 21st annual commemoration of Khalil Alinejad, a Kurdish singer-songwriter, and were subsequently released on bail.

Yarsanism, also known as Ahl-e Haqq, is a syncretic religion that originated in western Iran during the late 14th century under the leadership of Sultan Sahak. As a religious minority, Yarsan followers often face intimidation and persecution at the hands of the security and judicial systems of the regime.

 

Bahai Citizen Payam Vali Sentenced to Nine Years and Nine Months in Prison

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News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Alborz province, Baha'i citizen, Karaj, Payam Vali

Bahai citizen Payam Vali has been sentenced to nine years and nine months in prison by the Alborz Court of Appeals, with six years to be served. Previously, he had received a 16-year prison sentence.

The verdict, issued on May 10, 2023, states that Vali was given six years for “collaboration with adversary countries,” three years and one month for “inciting people to commit violence,” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” The first count carries an enforceable six-year prison term under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code.
Initially, in February 2023, Vali had been sentenced to ten, five, and one-year terms for the aforementioned charges, respectively.

On September 24, 2022, security forces arrested Vali at his house in Karaj, searched the house, and detained him in Rajai Shahr Prison.

According to HRANA annual report, from the full human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the violation of the rights of Baha’is.

According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian Constitution recognizes only Islam as the official religion, in addition to Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Bahai faith is not considered legitimate by the authorities, and the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

Freedom of religion is a breach of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations Covenant holds that every person has the right to practice religion freely, freedom of converting to a religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

 

Baha’i Enayatollah Naeimi Receives 15-Year Prison Sentence

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i communities, Bahais, Enayatollah Naeimi, Friends of Iran, Isfahan, Yaran e Iran

Enayatollah Naeimi, a Baha’i citizen, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, with 10 years to be enforced, by the Isfahan Revolutionary Court. He was also fined and subjected to social deprivation.

The verdict was issued by Judge Morteza Barai, who found Naeimi guilty of “forming groups to act against national security” for which he received 10 years, and “propaganda against the regime,” for which he received five years. The evidence presented for these charges included Naeimi’s involvement with the Baha’i group “Yaran e Iran” or “Friends of Iran,” as well as his association with Baha’i communities in Israel

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, if the verdict is upheld on appeal, Naeimi will serve 10 years in prison for the first charge.
Naeimi was arrested by security forces on September 28, 2022, and his house, workplace, and garden in the Isfahan suburbs were searched. He was later released on bail from Isfahan Prison but now faces a lengthy prison sentence.

According to HRANA annual report, from the total human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the violation of the rights of Baha’is.

According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian Constitution recognizes only Islam as the official religion, in addition to Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Baha’i faith is not considered legitimate by the authorities, and the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

 

Enayatollah Naeimi Arrested After Court Hearing

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News, Religious Minorities
Bahai, Enayatollah Naeimi, HRANA, Isfahan Prison, Yaran e Iran

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- On May 6, 2023, Baha’i citizen Enayatollah Naeimi was arrested and taken to an undisclosed location after a court hearing held by the Isfahan Revolutionary Court. The charges against Naeimi remain unknown.

Naeimi had previously been arrested on September 28, 2023, in Isfahan, during which security forces searched his house, workplace, and garden in the Isfahan suburbs. He was later released temporarily on bail from Isfahan Prison.
Naeimi was a member of the now-disbanded Baha’i group, “Yaran e Iran” or “Friends of Iran,” which catered to the spiritual and social needs of the Baha’i community.

According to HRANA annual report, from the total human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the violation of the rights of Baha’is.

According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian Constitution recognizes only Islam as the official religion, in addition to Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Baha’i faith is not considered legitimate by the authorities, and the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

 

 

Three Baha’i Citizens Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities
Ataollah Zafar, Baha’i community, Bahais, HRANA, Mansour Amini, Shadi Shahidzadeh

HRANA, Human Rights Activists news agency–On May 1, 2023, three Baha’i citizens, Ataollah Zafar, Shadi Shahidzadeh, and Mansour Amini, were separately arrested and taken to undisclosed locations.

According to an informed source, this morning, May 1, three intelligence agents raided Zafar’s house and arrested him. During the raid, the agents searched his house and confiscated some of his belongings.

Zafar, who is 78 years old, had previously served a one-year sentence starting in August 2022. He was released on bail on October 29, 2022, and his case was closed in March 2023 when he received a pardon.

Shahidzadeh was also arrested at her house in Tehran on the same day. In the days leading up to her arrest, she had been summoned by judicial authorities via SMS following her frequent inquiries about obtaining a burial permit for her grandmother.

Amini was arrested in his residence, and agents searched his house during the arrest.

According to HRANA annual report, from the total human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the violation of the rights of Baha’is. The Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to various forms of discrimination and persecution for decades. The Iranian government has imposed severe restrictions on Baha’is’ religious practices, education, employment, and civil rights.