Category: Religious Minorities

Baha’is Nita Babanejad and Parsa Emadi Arrested in Isfahan

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News, Religious Minorities
HRANA, Nita Babannejad, Parsa Emadi

HRANA – Nita Babannejad and her child, Parsa Emadi, two Baha’i citizens residing in Isfahan, were arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence in the city on March 5.

Based on information received by HRANA, Nita Babanejad and her child Parsa Emadi were arrested on Thursday, March 5, 2026, by agents of the Intelligence Department at their home in Isfahan. Following her arrest, Ms. Babanejad was transferred to the intake ward of Dowlatabad Prison, while Mr. Emadi was taken to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Isfahan.

These two citizens remain in detention in an uncertain condition, and the charge against them has been reported as “propaganda against the regime.”

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has faced more security and judicial pressure than any other religious minority. A review of the annual reports published by the Statistics, Publications, and Works Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran shows that over the past year, on average, 62.41% of reports concerning religious minorities were related to violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

Borna Naeimi, a Baha’i Citizen, Arrested in Kerman

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News, Religious Minorities
Borna Naeimi, HRANA, Kerman, Peyvand Naeimi, برنا نعیمی

HRANA – Borna Naeimi, a Baha’i citizen residing in Kerman, was arrested yesterday by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Naeimi was arrested on Sunday, March 1, 2026, by security forces who used violence at his workplace during the arrest. As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding his whereabouts or the charges brought against him.

Borna Naeimi, a 29-year-old Baha’i citizen, is the father of a three-year-old child and a resident of Kerman. He is a relative of Peyvand Naeimi, who had previously been transferred to Kerman Prison after being arrested and subjected to the publication of forced confessions.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to security and judicial measures more than any other religious minority. HRA’s annual report reveals that over the past year, on average, 62.41% of reports concerning religious minorities were related to violations of the civil rights of Baha’is.

Hamed Mehrabkhani, a Baha’i Citizen, Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'is Citizen, Bahman Shokouhi, Hamed Mehrabkhani, Jaleh Mehrabkhani, Qazvin, Tabriz

HRANA – Today, Hamed Mehrabkhani, a Baha’i citizen residing in Qazvin, was arrested by security forces at his sister’s home in Tabriz and transferred to an undisclosed location.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Mehrabkhani was arrested today, Wednesday, February 18, by security forces at his sister’s home in Tabriz. A source close to the family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating that during the arrest, officers searched the home of his sister, Jaleh (Zhaleh) Mehrabkhani. During the search, several electronic devices belonging to her and her family were seized, including the mobile phones and laptop of his sister and her husband, Bahman Shokouhi.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for Mr. Mehrabkhani’s arrest or the charges brought against this Baha’i citizen.

Hamed Mehrabkhani, a Baha’i citizen approximately 32 years old, is originally from and resides in Qazvin.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to more security and judicial actions than any other religious minority. A review of the annual reports published by the Statistics, Publications, and Works Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran indicates that, over the past year, on average, 62.41 percent of reports concerning religious minorities were related to violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

Death Sentence of Yaghoub Karimpour Upheld by the Supreme Court

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Executions, News, Religious Minorities
Maragheh, Yaghoub Karimpour, Yarsan

HRANA – The death sentence of Yaghoub Karimpour, a Yarsan follower and prisoner held in Urmia Prison, has been upheld by Branch 9 of the Supreme Court.

Based on information received by HRANA, Branch 9 of the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence of Mr. Karimpour, a citizen adhering to the Yarsan faith. The ruling was formally communicated to him in Urmia Prison on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. In December of this year, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Urmia, presided over by Judge Sajjad Doosti, had sentenced him to death on the charge of “corruption on earth” (efsad-e fel-arz) through espionage in favor of Israel. His trial was held via videoconference.

Mr. Karimpour was arrested by security forces in Miandoab in June 2025 and transferred for interrogation to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Urmia. According to an informed source, he was subjected to security pressures for approximately two months in order to extract forced confessions regarding alleged cooperation with Israel.

From the time of his arrest until his case was referred to Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Urmia, Mr. Karimpour was denied access to legal counsel and was also not permitted family visits throughout his detention.

Yaghoub Karimpour, aged approximately 41, is married and a graduate in law from Maragheh University.

Baha’i Citizen Pouyan Gholami Arrested by Security Forces

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News, Religious Minorities
Bahais, Kerman, Pouyan Gholami

HRANA – Pouyan Gholami, a Baha’i citizen residing in Kerman, was arrested today by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location.

The arrest of this Baha’i citizen took place yesterday February 10, at his workplace. During the arrest, security agents also searched his home.

As of now, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest or the charges brought against him.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has faced more security and judicial harassment than any other religious minority. A review of the annual reports published by the Statistics, Publications and Works Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran indicates that over the past year, an average of 62.41% of reports concerning religious minorities were related to violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

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Security Forces Search Homes of 11 Baha’i Citizens in Borujerd and Aligudarz, Seal 5 Businesses

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News, Religious Minorities
Aligudarz, Bahais, Borujerd, HRANA

HRANA – On Monday, security agents searched the homes of six Baha’i citizens in Borujerd and sealed the workplaces of three of them. At the same time, the homes of five Baha’i citizens in Aligudarz were searched, and the workplaces of two individuals were sealed. During the searches, some religious items and personal belongings, including mobile phones and identity documents, were confiscated.

Based on information received by HRANA, on Monday, February 2, 2026, the family homes of six Baha’i citizens in Borujerd County were searched, and the businesses of three of them were sealed. Simultaneously, the family homes of five Baha’i citizens in Aligudarz were searched by agents of The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, and the workplace of one of them was sealed. In addition, a commercial unit belonging to a non-Baha’i citizen, where one of the Baha’i individuals was employed, was also sealed in Aligudarz.

According to an informed source, during the searches, security agents confiscated religious materials and personal belongings, including mobile phones, valuable items such as gold and cash, bank cards, birth certificates, national ID cards, passports, laptops, computer cases, and other digital devices. Security agents also told the Baha’i citizens in Aligudarz that they would return to their homes again, and threatened that judicial rulings would be issued against them and their property would be confiscated.

One of the homes in Borujerd was searched while the residents were not present, and agents entered the house by breaking down the door.

Further details, including the identities of these citizens, are under investigation by HRANA.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to more security and judicial actions than any other religious minority. HRA’s annual report indicates that, over the past year, an average of 62.41% of reports concerning religious minorities were related to violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

Shakila Ghasemi, a Baha’i Citizen, Arrested in Kerman

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, HRANA, Kerman, Shakila Ghasemi, شکیلا قاسمی

HRANA – Today, February 2, Shakila Ghasemi, a Baha’i citizen residing in Kerman, was arrested by security forces. Prior to her arrest, the home of this Baha’i citizen was searched, and all electronic devices belonging to her and her family were confiscated.

Based on information received by HRANA, Ms. Ghasemi was arrested today by security forces. Before her arrest, her residence was searched. During the search, all electronic devices, including mobile phones and laptops belonging to her as well as her parents, were confiscated by agents.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for her arrest, her place of detention, or the charges brought against Ms. Ghasemi.

Shakila Ghasemi is a 26-year-old Baha’i citizen residing in Kerman.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to security and judicial actions more than any other religious minority. HRA’s annual reports indicates that over the past year, an average of 62.41% of reports related to religious minorities concerned violations of the civil rights of Baha’is.

Report on the Arrest of Ghazaleh Ra’yat, a Baha’i Citizen in Mashhad

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Ghazaleh Ra'yat, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison

HRANA – Ghazaleh Ra’yat, a Baha’i citizen residing in Mashhad, was arrested by security agents in mid-January and is being held in an uncertain legal status at Vakilabad Prison in this city.

Based on information received by HRANA, Ms. Ra’yat was arrested at her workplace in Mashhad in mid-January, following a search of her home, was transferred to the local Intelligence Office. She is currently being held without formal charges at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for her arrest or the charges brought against her.

It is worth noting that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and market traders began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28 and after two days expanded beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became one of the most widespread in recent years. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the 31st day of the protests, published last night.

Arrest of Two Bahá’í citizens by Security Forces in Mashhad

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizens, Mashhad, Payam Faridian, Sepehr Koushkbagi, Vakilabad prison

HRANA- Sepehr Koushkbagi and Payam Faridian, both Bahá’í citizens, have been arrested by security forces in Mashhad.

According to information received by HRANA, Koushkbagi was arrested on January 11, 2026, at the home of one of his friends by agents of the Mashhad Intelligence Department. He was later transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad following interrogation. Mr. Faridian was also arrested on January 22, 2026, at his pottery workshop in Mashhad by security forces. Five days after his arrest, no information has been obtained regarding his place of detention.

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding the charges brought against these Bahá’í citizens.

Sepehr Koushkbagi is a 31-year-old Bahá’í citizen residing in Mashhad. Payam Faridian is a photographer and potter living in Mashhad.

Rojin Hossein-Nejad, Baha’i Citizen, Arrested in Kerman

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Kerman, Rojin Hossein-Nejad

HRANA – Rojin Hossein-Nejad, a Baha’i citizen, was arrested by security forces in Kerman on Saturday, January 24, 2026, and transferred to an undisclosed location.

Based on information received by HRANA, the arrest of this Baha’i citizen took place on Saturday, January 24, 2026, by security forces in Kerman. At the same time, officers confiscated some personal belongings of her family members, including mobile phones and laptops.
As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding the charges against her or her place of detention.

Rojin Hossein-Nejad is a 19-year-old Baha’i citizen and a resident of Kerman.

It is worth noting that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, and after two days extended beyond bazaars and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became one of the most widespread demonstrations in recent years. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the twenty-ninth day of the protests, which was published last night.