Category: Religious Minorities

Baha’i Mother and Son Interrogated in Isfahan Following Intelligence Raid

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News, Religious Minorities
Arman Bahrami, Elham Siadat, HRANA, Isfahan

Arman Bahrami and his mother, Elham Siadat, two Baha’i citizens in Isfahan, were summoned and interrogated by the Ministry of Intelligence following a search of their home.

According to a source close to the family, the two appeared at the Ministry’s office in Isfahan on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, where they were interrogated for nine hours before being released. Their summons came days after agents searched their home on May 28, during which several personal belongings — including cash, gold, and electronic devices — were seized. The source noted that the search warrant did not authorize the confiscation of property, and that damage was done to household items during the raid.

“The agents explicitly said their aim was to harass,” the source told HRANA. “They mentioned they are trying to fabricate a case by locating a private complainant and threatened that if the matter is publicized, more serious charges would follow.”

At the time of this report, no information has been released about the interrogation details or potential charges.

Bahrami and Siadat have previously faced security-related pressures from Iranian authorities due to their religious beliefs.

Over the past decade, the Iranian Bahá’í community has been disproportionately targeted by Iran’s security forces and judiciary—more than any other minority group. In the past three years, an average of 72 percent of the reports on religious rights violations collected by HRANA have documented the Iranian regime’s repression of the Bahá’í community.

Supreme Court Overturns Acquittal of 26 Baha’i Citizens; Re-summoned to Court

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News, Religious Minorities
Ahdiyeh Enayati, Bahareh Norouzi, Behnam Azizpour, Esmaeil Roosta, Farbod Shadman, Farzad Shadman, Lala Salehi, Mahyar Sefidi Miyandoab, Marjan Gholampour, Maryam Eslami Mahdiabadi, Mojgan Gholampour Saadi, Nabil Tahzib, Nasim Kashani Nejad, Noushin Zenhari, Parisa Rouhi-Zadegan, Ramin Shirvani, Rezvan Yazdani, Saeed Hasani, Sahba Farahbakhsh, Sahba Moslehi, Samareh Ashnaei, Shadi Sadegh Aghdam, Shamim Akhlaqi, Soroush Aghaei Saghadi, Vargha Kaviani, Yekta Fahandezh-Sa`adi

HRANA News Agency – Following an objection by the Chief Justice of Fars Province to the acquittal of 26 Baha’i citizens residing in Shiraz, the Supreme Court has referred their case to a parallel court branch for reconsideration. These citizens have now been summoned to Branch 2 of the Fars Province Court of Appeals.

Based on information obtained by HRANA, the following individuals received official summonses to appear before Branch 2 of the Fars Province Court of Appeals:
Parisa Rouhi-Zadegan, Esmaeil Roosta, Bahareh Norouzi, Behnam Azizpour, Samareh Ashnaei, Ramin Shirvani, Rezvan Yazdani, Soroush Aghaei Saghadi, Saeed Hasani, Shadi Sadegh Aghdam, Shamim Akhlaqi, Sahba Farahbakhsh, Sahba Moslehi, Ahdiyeh Enayati, Farbod Shadman, Farzad Shadman, Lala Salehi, Mojgan Gholampour Saadi, Marjan Gholampour, Maryam Eslami Mahdiabadi, Mahyar Sefidi Miyandoab, Nabil Tahzib, Nasim Kashani Nejad, Noushin Zenhari, Vargha Kaviani, and Yekta Fahandezh Saadi. They have been instructed to appear before the court July 1.

The source added that recently, Seyed Kazem Mousavi, Chief Justice of Fars Province, filed an objection to the acquittal under Article 477 of the Criminal Procedure Code. As a result, Branch 1 of the Supreme Court referred the case again to a parallel court—this time Branch 2 of the Fars Province Court of Appeals.

In June 2022, these Baha’i citizens had initially been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court to a total of 85 years in prison, exile, and travel bans. That verdict was upheld in full by Branch 37 of the Fars Province Court of Appeals.

Parisa Rouhi-Zadegan and Nasim Kashani Nejad served prison terms in 2022 in connection with this case.

The case was originally opened in 2016, and some of the individuals were detained at that time.

Additionally, Yekta Fahandezh Saadi was arrested in December 2023 in a separate case by security forces and released on bail after about five months. She has previously been arrested and sentenced due to her activities.

Baha’i Citizen Sheida Rouhani Arrested in Tehran

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, HRANA, Sheida Rouhani

HRANA News Agency –Sheida Rouhani, a Baha’i resident of Tehran, was arrested by security forces on Tuesday, May 27, at her home and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Rouhani was arrested despite ongoing efforts by her family to obtain information about her situation. As of this report, her whereabouts remain unknown, raising serious concerns among her relatives.

A source close to the family told HRANA that around 5 p.m., ten security agents arrived at Rouhani’s apartment building. After convincing a neighbor to open the door, they entered her unit with a search warrant. The agents searched the home extensively and seized three laptops, two mobile phones, three tablets, three property deeds, a vehicle registration, academic documents, as well as books and photographs related to the Baha’i faith. Gold and a sum of U.S. dollars were also confiscated.

Before leaving, the agents told Rouhani she needed to accompany them to speak with a prosecutor. She was then taken into custody.

Rouhani is married and the mother of one child.

Over the past decade, the Iranian Bahá’í community has been disproportionately targeted by Iran’s security forces and judiciary—more than any other minority group. In the past three years, an average of 72 percent of the reports on religious rights violations collected by HRANA have documented the Iranian regime’s repression of the Bahá’í community.

Three Baha’i Women Sentenced to Prison by Kerman Appeals Court

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News, Religious Minorities
Boshra Mostafavi, Didar Ahmadi, Kerman, lna Naeimi, Rafsanjan

HRANA News Agency – The Kerman Province Court of Appeals has sentenced three Baha’i citizens from Rafsanjan — Elna Naeimi, Didar Ahmadi, and Boshra Mostafavi — to a total of one year in prison.

They were tried on May 14, 2025, on the charge of “propaganda in favor of anti-regime groups.”

Previously, Branch 3 of the Rafsanjan Criminal Court had acquitted them due to lack of evidence, but the prosecutor challenged the ruling, leading to the appeal.

These women were initially arrested on June 7, 2020, after security agents searched their homes. They were later released on a temporary basis.

HRANA’s compiled reports show that in 2024 alone, the Iranian regime’s judiciary sentenced 82 members of religious minorities to nearly 400 years in prison on charges solely related to their religious beliefs and sharing those beliefs. This alarming figure highlights the regime’s relentless persecution of religious communities through its judicial system.

Homes of Six Baha’i Citizens Raided in Yazd

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News, Religious Minorities
Bahais, Farrokh Shadpour, Ghodrat Mirzaei, HRANA, Jamal Ghadirzadeh, Manouchehr Sobhani, Ramin Jiveh, Taraz Amiri, Yazd

HRANA News Agency – On the evening of Thursday, May 22, security forces raided the homes of six Baha’i citizens in Yazd.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, agents from the Yazd branch of the Ministry of Intelligence conducted the coordinated raids on Thursday evening. Security forces searched the homes of Ramin Jiveh, Jamal Ghadirzadeh, and Ghodrat Mirzaei, and later targeted the residences of Manouchehr Sobhani, Farrokh Shadpour, and Taraz Amiri. During the raids, agents confiscated personal belongings including Baha’i religious books, mobile phones, and laptops.

It is worth noting that Jamal Ghadirzadeh is currently facing legal proceedings related to his Baha’i faith and activities.

Over the past decade, the Iranian Bahá’í community has been disproportionately targeted by Iran’s security forces and judiciary—more than any other minority group. In the past three years, an average of 72 percent of the reports on religious rights violations collected by HRANA have documented the Iranian regime’s repression of the Bahá’í community.

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Christian Converts Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison by Tabriz Revolutionary Court

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News, Religious Minorities
Kia Nourinia, Mehdi Rahimi, Tabriz, Tabriz Revolutionary Court

HRANA News Agency – The Tabriz Revolutionary Court has sentenced Christian converts Mehdi Rahimi and Kia Nourinia to a total of 24 years in prison, over two billion tomans in fines, and 30 years of deprivation of social rights.

Judge Hassan Fath-Nejad of Branch 3 issued the verdict in absentia on April 16, 2025, without summoning the defendants or allowing them to present a defense. The court sentenced both Rahimi, 49, and Nourinia, 56, to 12 years in prison each. As additional punishments, the court imposed fines of one billion tomans on each and banned them from social rights for 15 years.

The court attributed 10 years of each sentence to the charge of “promoting deviant beliefs of Zionist Christianity in opposition to the Islamic Republic of Iran,” and the remaining two years to “smuggling prohibited goods,” referring to Christian religious books. Authorities also ordered them to pay a fine equivalent to ten times the value of the seized materials.

On November 3, 2024, agents from The Ministry of Intelligence raided Rahimi’s home in Tabriz, seizing roughly 5,000 Christian books and pamphlets, along with two computer hard drives. That same day, intelligence agents also searched Nourinia’s residence, confiscating two mobile phones, a tablet, and Christian literature.

Rahimi and Nourinia are both Christian converts residing in Tabriz.

Four Months of Uncertainty: Christian Convert Aida Najaflou Held in Evin Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Aida Najaflou, Evin Prison, آیدا نجفلو

HRANA News Agency – Aida Najaflou, a Christian convert, remains in legal limbo nearly four months after her arrest, currently held in Evin Prison under temporary detention.

A source close to her family told HRANA: “Ms. Najaflou has been held in Evin Prison without resolution for almost four months. A bail of 11 billion tomans (approximately 130,000 dollars) has been set for her temporary release, but her family is unable to afford it.”

The source added: “She is the mother of two children, one of whom is ill and facing serious care issues in her absence. Before her arrest, she underwent spinal disc surgery and suffers from ongoing spinal problems that require continuous medical attention. The lack of proper care in prison has worsened her condition.”

On April 13, 2025, Aida Najaflou was transferred from Ward 209—The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility—to the women’s ward of Evin Prison. She was initially arrested by security forces in February 2025.

As of this report, the reasons for her arrest and the charges against her remain unknown.

Based on about 180 reports compiled by HRANA over the past decade, 11% of all victims of religious minority rights violations by Iran’s security-judicial apparatus were Christians—particularly Christian converts. In 2024 alone, Christians made up over 9% of those targeted.

Special Clerical Court in Urmia Sentences Two Sunni Clerics to Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Hassan Khezri, HRANA, Salam Mahmoudian, Sardasht

HRANA News Agency –Hassan Khezri and Salam Mahmoudian, two Sunni clerics from Sardasht, have each been sentenced to two years in prison and a monetary fine by the Special Clerical Court in Urmia. The prison sentences were suspended.

According to a report by HRANA, quoting Kurdpa, the Special Clerical Court in Urmia issued the verdicts against the two clerics, sentencing each to two years in prison and paying a fine. The prison terms have been suspended.

The report does not specify the charges brought against Khezri and Mahmoudian.

Salam Mahmoudian is the Friday prayer leader of Boyuran-e Sofla (lower Boyuran) village, and Hassan Khezri is the Friday prayer leader of Boyuran-e Olya (upper Boyuran), both located in Sardasht County. The two were previously summoned to the Urmia Special Clerical Court in July of 2024.

HRANA’s compiled reports show that in 2024 alone, the Iranian regime’s judiciary sentenced 82 members of religious minorities to nearly 400 years in prison on charges solely related to their religious beliefs and sharing those beliefs. This alarming figure highlights the regime’s relentless persecution of religious communities through its judicial system.

Report on the Arrest of 9 Supporters of the “Yamani” Movement in Kashmar

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News, Religious Minorities
Ahmad al-Hasan Yamani, Ali Davoudi, Hadi Aghaei, Hassan Davoudi, Hossein Davoudi, HRANA, Kashmar, Kazem Ghavidel

HRANA News Agency – Hassan Davoudi, Hossein Davoudi, Ali Davoudi, Kazem Ghavidel, Hadi Aghaei, and four women—supporters of the “Yamani” movement—have been in detention by security forces in the city of Kashmar for the past 10 days. However, no information has yet been obtained regarding their place of detention.

A source with knowledge of the case has requested that the identities of the detained women not be disclosed.

According to information obtained by HRANA, these individuals were arrested on April 26, 2025, at their residences in Kashmar. As of now, their whereabouts remain unknown, and the authorities have refused to provide any information to their families.

Each year, individuals in Iran are arrested solely for claiming a connection with the Hidden Imam of Shia Islam. The “Yamani” movement, led by a figure named Ahmad al-Hasan Yamani, is known for making claims related to the Mahdist belief system.

Iran’s security apparatus—particularly the Ministry of Intelligence—has dedicated divisions for targeting religious minorities, spiritual movements, and ideological groups that fall outside the ideological framework of the Islamic Republic.

Report on the Arrest of Reyhaneh and Rasoul Darat, Supporters of the “Yamani” Movement

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News, Religious Minorities
Ahmad al-Hasan Yamani, Rasoul Darat, Reyhaneh Darat, Torbat-e Heydarieh, Yamani

HRANA News Agency – Reyhaneh Darat and her brother Rasoul Darat, two residents of Torbat-e Heydarieh and supporters of the “Yamani” movement, have been arrested by security forces. While Rasoul Darat is currently being held in The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in the city, the whereabouts of Reyhaneh Darat remain unknown.

A source close to the family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating:
“On the evening of Monday, April 28, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence raided a ceremony being held in Torbat-e Heydarieh, Razavi Khorasan province, to mark the birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad’s daughter. Around 20 women and girls, all supporters of the Yamani movement, were present. Among them, Reyhaneh Darat was arrested by security forces. Later that night, her family went to the Ministry of Intelligence office to follow up on her case. During this effort, her brother Rasoul Darat was also arrested by Intelligence agents.”

According to HRANA’s findings, Rasoul Darat is currently being held in The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Torbat-e Heydarieh. However, the location of Reyhaneh Darat, 20, remains unknown, and authorities have refused to provide her family with any information.

Rasoul Darat has previously been arrested and convicted for his religious activities.

In Iran, individuals are routinely detained for making claims of association with the Shi’a messianic figure, the Hidden Twelfth Imam. One such movement, known as the Yamani current and led by Ahmad al-Hasan Yamani, advocates beliefs centered on Mahdism.

The Iranian security establishment—particularly the Ministry of Intelligence—maintains dedicated units focused on monitoring and suppressing religious groups, mystical orders, and ideological movements that fall outside the state’s sanctioned ideological boundaries.