Category: Religious Minorities

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.

Venus Hosseinnezhad, a Baha’i Citizen, Arrested in Kerman

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, HRANA, Kerman, Venus Hosseinnezhad

HRANA – Venus Hosseinnezhad, a Baha’i citizen residing in Kerman, was arrested by security forces 10 days ago, and there has been no information so far regarding her place of detention.

Based on information received by HRANA, Venus Hosseinnezhad was arrested at her workplace by security forces on January 15. Ten days after her arrest, there is still no information about her whereabouts, which has caused concern among her family and relatives.
As of the time of writing this report, no information has been obtained regarding the charges brought against this citizen.

Venus Hosseinnezhad is 28 years old and a Baha’i citizen living in Kerman.

It should be noted that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, and after two days spread beyond bazaars and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests have become one of the most widespread demonstrations in recent years. For more information, readers can refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the twenty-eighth day of the protests, published last night.

Artin Ghazanfari, a Baha’i Citizen, Arrested by Security Forces

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News, Religious Minorities
Artin Ghazanfari, HRANA, Tehran

HRANA – Artin Ghazanfari, a Baha’i citizen and photojournalist, was arrested in Tehran on January 19 and transferred to an unknown location.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Ghazanfari was arrested on January 19 at his personal residence in Tehran. At the same time, his home and workplace were searched, and security agents confiscated a number of electronic devices, books, as well as his professional and personal equipment.

As of the time of this report, there is no information available regarding the charges against him or his place of detention.

Artin Ghazanfari, a Baha’i citizen and photojournalist, has previously served a prison sentence due to his activities.

It is worth noting that protests and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, and after two days spread 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 can refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the twenty-fifth day of the protests, published last night.

Kerman: Several Baha’i Citizens Arrested by Security Forces

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News, Religious Minorities
Bahais, irgc, Kerman, Tharallah

HRANA – The Public Relations Office of the Tharallah IRGC of Kerman Province announced, in a statement, that several Baha’i citizens residing in the province have been arrested in connection with the nationwide protests.

According to Tasnim News Agency, the statement claims that these individuals had links with “operatives based in the United States and the Israeli regime” and that, as soon as what were described as “the riots” began in the country over the past week, they “formed a virtual group to coordinate and organize members and, in the form of operational teams, entered the scene of unrest and anti-security actions using various types of equipment and both cold and hot weapons.”

The statement further adds that several individuals have been arrested in Kerman, while other active and connected members have been identified and are being pursued.

The report does not provide any information regarding the identities, number, or place of detention of those arrested.

It is also worth noting that on Monday, the Ministry of Intelligence announced in a separate statement the arrest of 12 Baha’i citizens.

It should be noted that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28. After two days, the scope of these actions expanded beyond bazaars and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests turned into one of the most widespread demonstrations in recent years. For more information, readers can refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the twenty-third day of protests, published last night.

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Baha’i Citizen Moein Mohammadi Arrested in Yazd

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Bahai arrested, Moein Mohammadi, Yazd

HRANA News Agency – On Monday, January 5, 2026, Moein Mohammadi, a Baha’i citizen residing in Yazd, was arrested by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location. The agents searched the residence of this Baha’i citizen and confiscated a number of his personal belongings.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Mohammadi’s arrest took place on Monday, January 5, at his home by security forces. During the search of the residence, agents seized several of his personal items, including electronic devices, books, and documents.

A source informed and close to the family of this Baha’i citizen, while confirming the news to HRANA, stated: “Mr. Mohammadi’s arrest occurred in front of his 10-year-old child, an incident that has caused significant psychological distress to the child.”

So far, no information has been obtained regarding his place of detention or the charges brought against this Baha’i citizen.

Moein Mohammadi has previously faced convictions due to his religious beliefs.

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 during 2025, an average of 62.4% of reports related to religious minorities concerned violations of the civil rights of Baha’is.

Prison and Exile Sentences Issued for Several Supporters of the “Yamani” Movement

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News, Religious Minorities
Ahmad al-Hassan al-Yamani, Ahmad Ismail Basri, Torbat-e Heydarieh

HRANA – The prosecutor of Torbat-e Heydarieh announced the issuance of sentences totaling 60 years of imprisonment, 20 years of exile, and additional punitive measures for several supporters of the “Yamani” movement. Without specifying the number of those convicted, he described them as “leaders and online activists affiliated with the emerging Baha’i movement.”

According to ISNA, Mohammad Hossein Hassan-Nejad stated in this regard: “Based on the issued verdict, the leaders and online activists of this religious group were collectively sentenced to 60 years in prison, 160 years of deprivation from social services, and 20 years of exile to hot border regions. In addition, each of these individuals was ordered to pay a fine of 800 million rials.”

He referred to these citizens as “the main defendants in the case of elements affiliated with the deviant movement of Ahmad Ismail Basri, known as the emerging Baha’i movement.”

According to him, these rulings were issued based on Articles 499 and 500 (amended) of the Islamic Penal Code.

The report does not mention the number or identities of those convicted.

Each year in Iran, individuals are arrested solely on allegations of claiming a connection with the Shiite Hidden Imam. It is worth noting that the “Yamani” ideological movement, led by an individual named Ahmad al-Hassan al-Yamani, is also active by making claims related to Mahdism.

Iran’s security apparatus, particularly the Ministry of Intelligence, has departments tasked with confronting religions, spiritual movements, and intellectual-religious groups that do not fall within the ideological framework accepted by the Iranian government.

Sunni Cleric Mohammad Salehi Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Religious Minorities
Bukan, Mohammad Salehi, Urmia prison

HRANA – Mohammad Salehi, a Sunni cleric imprisoned in Urmia Prison, has been sentenced to five years of discretionary imprisonment by Branch Two of the Revolutionary Court of Urmia.

The ruling was recently issued by Branch Two of the Urmia Revolutionary Court and communicated to this Sunni cleric inside Urmia Prison. Based on the judge’s verdict, Mr. Salehi was sentenced to five years of discretionary imprisonment on the charge of membership in groups, associations, or organizations with the intent to disrupt national security.

Mohammad Salehi was arrested by security forces in Bukan in March 2025. After two months, he was transferred from The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Urmia to Urmia Prison. During his detention, this citizen was denied access to a lawyer and the right to family visits.

Mohammad Salehi is a Sunni cleric and the prayer leader of the mosque in the village of Kaldageh, Bukan.

Two Citizens Arrested by Security Forces in Ahvaz

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News, Other, Religious Minorities
ahvaz, Aref Shamousi, Mohammad Badr

HRANA – On Tuesday, December 15, Aref Shamousi and Mohammad Badr, Sunni residents of Ahvaz, were arrested by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence in the city and transferred to an undisclosed location.

Aref Shamousi and Mohammad Badr were arrested on Tuesday, December 16, by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence at their private homes in Ahvaz. The agents also searched their residences and confiscated a number of their personal belongings.

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding their place of detention, the reasons for their arrest, or the charges brought against them.

Aref Shamousi and Mohammad Badr are Sunni citizens and residents of Ahvaz.

Arbitrary arrests, transferring detainees to undisclosed locations, and leaving families in the dark about the fate of their loved ones are routine practices of the Iranian regime’s security agencies, such as the Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC Intelligence Unit. This pattern of behavior stands in clear violation of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules.

Navid Tashakor, a Baha’i Citizen, Arrested and Transferred to Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Baharestan, Dastgerd Prison, Navid Tashakor, نوید تشکر

HRANA -Navid Tashakor, a Baha’i citizen residing in Baharestan, Isfahan Province, was arrested on Saturday, December 13, after appearing at the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of Isfahan, and was transferred to Dastgerd Prison in the city.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Tashakor was detained on December 13, following his appearance at the Isfahan Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office and subsequently transferred to Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan. The charge brought against this Baha’i citizen has been cited as “propaganda against the state through educational and/or promotional activities deemed deviant and contrary to or disruptive of Islamic law.”

Mr. Tashakor had previously been arrested on June 22, 2025, at his private residence in the city of Baharestan and was released on bail 16 days later. At the time of that arrest, security agents searched his home and confiscated a number of his electronic devices.

Additionally, on June 15, 2025, Mr. Tashakor and several of his colleagues were arrested at their workplace and released after one day. According to an informed source, “The agents cited suspicious movements and alleged connections with Israeli-owned drones as the reason for these arrests.”