Baha’i Citizen Leva Samimi Arrested in Sari

HRANA – Leva Samimi, a Baha’i citizen from Juybar and the wife of Noyan Hejazi, was arrested earlier today by security forces outside Kachouei Detention Center in Sari and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Samimi had been instructed to visit the detention center for a scheduled meeting with her husband. However, upon arriving at the facility, she was detained by security agents and transferred to an unknown location.

Her husband, Noyan Hejazi, also a Baha’i from Juybar, was arrested without a judicial warrant on Wednesday, June 25, at his home. He is currently being held in limbo at Kachouei Detention Center.

As of this report, no information has been made available regarding the charges against Leva Samimi or the reasons for her arrest.

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.

Continued Incommunicado Detention of Baha’i Citizen Mehran Dastournezhad

HRANA– Mehran Dastournezhad, a Baha’i citizen, has been held in detention by security forces in Marvdasht for eight days, with no information available about his fate.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Mehran Dastournezhad was arrested in Marvdasht on June 28. His daughter reported that Mr. Dastournezhad’s arrest was carried out violently and accompanied by the confiscation of his personal belongings. According to her, eight days after the arrest, he has still not contacted his family.

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

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.

Christian Convert Mehran Shamlooei Arrested in Mashhad

HRANA – Security forces arrested Christian convert Mehran Shamlooei yesterday at Mashhad Airport and transferred him to a security detention facility in the city.

A source close to Shamlooei’s family confirmed to HRANA: “He was arrested upon entering Iran at Mashhad Airport and taken to a local security facility. As he is facing a prison sentence, the on-duty judge has ordered his transfer to Tehran on Monday.”

Shamlooei was previously sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to 10 years and 8 months in prison, a fine of 250 million tomans, and an 11-year ban on social rights. The charges against him included “propaganda against Islamic law” and “membership in groups opposing the state.” The verdict was upheld in full by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals on April 23, 2025.

His trial was held on February 13, 2025, following an earlier interrogation in January at Branch 3 of the Tehran Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office.

Shamlooei was last released from Evin Prison on December 1, 2024, after posting bail. He had been arrested on November 1, 2024, by Ministry of Intelligence agents for establishing a house church in Tehran and was held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is operated by the Ministry.

Based on about 170 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.

Baha’i Citizen Soheil Haghdoost Arrested During Home Raid in Qaemshahr

HRANA – On July 3, security forces arrested Soheil Haghdoost, a Baha’i citizen living in Qaemshahr, at his home. Officers searched the residence and confiscated several personal items.

According to HRANA, eight agents from the Ministry of Intelligence and Public Security carried out the arrest, reportedly using force during the operation. A source close to Haghdoost’s family confirmed the incident and noted the seizure of personal belongings during the search.

Earlier this week, on Tuesday, July 1, Haghdoost’s wife, Raquel Ataeian, was also arrested by IRGC Intelligence agents.

As of this report, the reasons behind the couple’s arrests, their current whereabouts, and the charges they face remain undisclosed.

Haghdoost has previously faced legal persecution due to his Baha’i faith.

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.

Nine Followers of the “Yamani” Movement Remain in Detention at Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad

HRANA – Over a month after their arrests, nine followers of the “Yamani” religious movement remain in pre-trial detention at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. The detainees include Emad Eftetahi, Amin Akbari, Seyed Yahya Tarrahomi, Ghasem Hatami, Alireza Salim Kaviani, Sajjad Rezvan, Mohammad Kazem Fathi, Mohammad Hossein Nazarnajad, and one unidentified individual.

They were among 19 “Yamani” adherents detained in Mashhad. According to relatives, the arrests were made without official warrants and in violation of legal procedures.

In Iran, individuals are frequently detained for espousing spiritual or messianic beliefs, especially those claiming a connection to the Shi’a Mahdi. The “Yamani” movement, led by Ahmad al-Hasan Yamani, centers its teachings on Mahdism.

Iran’s security agencies—particularly the Ministry of Intelligence—operate dedicated units to suppress religious, spiritual, and ideological groups that fall outside the bounds of the state-sanctioned doctrine.

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Raquel Ataeian, Baha’i Citizen, Arrested by Security Forces

HRANA News Agency – On Tuesday, July 1, Raquel Ataeian, a Baha’i citizen residing in Qaemshahr, was arrested at her home by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location. Agents also confiscated several personal items belonging to her and her family.

The arrest was carried out by seven IRGC Intelligence agents who presented a judicial warrant before detaining Ms. Ataeian and searching her home.

A source close to the family confirmed the incident, telling HRANA: “This morning, seven IRGC Intelligence agents arrived at Ms. Ataeian’s residence with a judicial warrant. During the search, they seized religious books, mobile phones, and laptops belonging to her and her family.”

As of the time of this report, no information has been released about the charges against Ms. Ataeian, the reasons for her arrest, or her whereabouts.

Raquel Ataeian has previously faced security-related harassment due to her Baha’i faith.

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.

Baha’i Citizen Sahba Mohammadi Arrested in Birjand

HRANA News Agency – On Saturday, June 28, security agents from the Ministry of Intelligence arrested Sahba Mohammadi, a Baha’i citizen residing in Birjand, at her home and transferred her to an undisclosed location. Authorities also confiscated some of her personal and electronic belongings.

According to information received by HRANA, agents arrested Ms. Mohammadi around 7 a.m. on Saturday at her residence. During the raid, they searched her home and seized several personal items, including her mobile phone, laptop, and Baha’i literature.

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

Sahba Mohammadi is 25 years old and resides in Birjand.

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.

Interrogation of 35 Jewish Citizens in Tehran and Shiraz

HRANA News Agency – Since the early hours of Monday, June 23, security forces have summoned at least 35 Jewish citizens in the cities of Tehran and Shiraz to security centers and interrogated them.

According to a source close to the families, the officers mainly questioned these individuals about their family contacts with relatives in Israel and emphasized that they should refrain from any phone or internet communication abroad for the time being.

This wave of summonses, unfolding amid heightened military tensions between Iran and Israel, marks one of the largest such incidents since the early years following the 1979 Revolution. The move starkly contradicts the Islamic Republic’s official narrative of providing “equal rights for Iranian-Jewish citizens.” While authorities have long sought to portray Iranian Jews as secure and fully integrated citizens, sources close to the community report “unprecedented pressure” in recent weeks.

These actions are also linked to earlier legislation. In November 2011, the Iranian Parliament passed the “Law on Intensifying Punishment for Travel to Israel,” which imposes two to five years of imprisonment and three to five years of passport ineligibility on any Iranian citizen who travels to Israel. Many Iranian Jews maintain religious and familial ties with relatives in Israel, making travel between the two countries common—an activity now facing heightened surveillance and restriction.

The Tehran Jewish Association has so far avoided issuing an official response. However, a senior member of the Iranian Jewish community, speaking anonymously to HRANA, stated: “We’ve seen limited summonses during previous crises, but the current scale is unprecedented and has raised serious concerns about the psychological and social well-being of our community.”

As of this report’s publication, judicial and security officials have yet to explain the reasons behind or outcomes of the interrogations. Some families say officials tried to offer reassurance, claiming the intent was not to pressure the community but to gather information and “prevent crimes” in the wake of the Iran-Israel conflict. Still, human rights lawyers caution that these actions may amount to “discrimination based on religion and ethnicity” and stand in violation of Iran’s international obligations.

According to an unofficial 2021 census, Iran’s Jewish population is estimated at fewer than 10,000. With many having relatives in Israel due to mass emigration after the revolution, experts warn that a mix of security pressure and restrictive travel laws increasingly threatens their ability to maintain family connections.

 

Nazanin Abedini, Baha’i Citizen, Arrested in Qaemshahr

HRANA News Agency – On the morning of Wednesday, June 25, Nazanin Abedini, a Baha’i citizen residing in Qaemshahr, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, Nazanin Abedini was arrested by security forces in Qaemshahr, Mazandaran province, without the presentation of a judicial warrant. Agents reportedly entered her home by climbing over the wall and breaking down the front door. After searching the house, they transferred her to an unknown location.

The reasons for her arrest and the charges against her remain unknown at the time of this report.

Nazanin Abedini is a children’s music instructor.

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.

Baha’i Citizen Nouyan Hejazi Arrested in Juybar County

HRANA News Agency – Yesterday, June 25, Nouyan Hejazi, a Baha’i citizen residing in Juybar, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Hejazi was arrested by security forces at his private residence without a judicial warrant and taken to an undisclosed location. During the arrest, agents searched his home and confiscated several personal items, including his and his wife’s mobile phones, laptop, and Baha’i books.

A source close to the family confirmed the news to HRANA and said: “There were ten agents, and it’s unclear how they entered the house. The first moment Nouyan and his wife encountered the agents was in their bedroom, and the agents woke them up early in the morning.”

As of the time of this report, the reasons for his arrest, his place of detention, and the charges against this Baha’i citizen remain unknown.

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.