Category: Religious Minorities

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.

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.

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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.

Historic Evangelical Church in Mashhad Demolished by Unknown Individuals

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News, Religious Minorities
Evangelical Church, HRANA, Mashhad

HRANA – The historic Evangelical Church of Mashhad, a site registered on Iran’s National Heritage List, was completely demolished yesterday.

According to HRANA News Agency, citing Jamaran, the historic Evangelical Church in Mashhad has been demolished.

According to the report, at approximately 2:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 4, 2026, the church was completely razed by unknown individuals using a bulldozer, reportedly amid the negligence of cultural heritage authorities.

The demolition operation lasted for about two hours. On the morning of the same day, the area surrounding the church was cordoned off, and citizens and journalists were barred from entering the site to take photographs.

The report does not provide further details regarding the motive behind the demolition or the identity of the individuals or institution responsible.

The historic Evangelical Church dates back to the early Pahlavi era and is located on Jannat Street, Golestan Alley, in Mashhad. On August 16, 2005, it was registered as one of Iran’s national heritage sites under registration number 13375.

The destruction of churches, cemeteries, and buildings belonging to Christians, Baha’is, and other religious or ideological minorities has a long history in various cities across Iran. Such demolitions have often taken place with the tacit approval of authorities of the Islamic Republic.

Rouya Ostovar Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison and Additional Punishments

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizens, HRANA, Rouya Ostovar, رویا استوار

HRANA – The conviction of Rouya Ostovar, a Baha’i citizen from Isfahan, has been fully upheld by Branch 47 of the Isfahan Province Court of Appeals. She had previously been sentenced to six years in prison along with additional penalties.

According to HRANA, on Tuesday, May 19, the sentence issued against Rouya Ostovar was upheld in its entirety by Branch 47 of the Isfahan Province Court of Appeals.

According to the court ruling, Ms. Ostovar was sentenced to five years in prison, a monetary fine, and deprivation of social rights for 15 years on charges of “conducting educational and promotional activities deemed contrary to Islamic law through the creation and administration of a WhatsApp group related to the Baha’i faith.” She was also sentenced to one year in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime through publishing content online.”

The international Baha’i community has issued a statement expressing concern regarding the sentence imposed on this Baha’i citizen.

In response to the ruling, Ms. Ostovar stated that the WhatsApp group in question had only nine members, three of whom were Baha’is. According to her, the evidence presented against her mainly consisted of congratulatory messages for various occasions and an image in which a symbol of the Baha’i faith appeared in part of the picture.

The lower court’s verdict was formally communicated to her in April of this year.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to more security and judicial pressure than any other religious minority in the country. HRA’s annual reports indicate that in 2025, an average of 62.41% of all reports concerning religious minorities involved violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

Baha’i Citizen Barsa Maleki Sentenced to Prison and Additional Punishments

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News, Religious Minorities
Barsa Maleki, HRANA, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison

HRANA – Barsa Maleki, a Baha’i resident of Mashhad, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad to two years of imprisonment, a monetary fine, and deprivation of social rights.

According to a ruling issued by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad and served on this Baha’i citizen, Mr. Maleki was convicted under Article 500 bis of the Islamic Penal Code for the charge of engaging in educational or propagandistic activities deemed deviant, contrary to, or disruptive of the sacred laws of Islam. He was sentenced to two years and one day in prison, an 80 million toman fine, and deprivation of social rights for a period of six years.

A source familiar with the matter confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “The verdict was issued some time ago and was formally communicated to this Baha’i citizen last week.”

Barsa Maleki was arrested on January 22 of 2026, along with eleven other individuals, during a birthday gathering in Mashhad.

After 24 days in detention, he was released from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad on bail.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to more security and judicial pressure than any other religious minority in the country. HRA’s annual reports indicate that in 2025, an average of 62.41% of all reports concerning religious minorities involved violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.