Hamed Mehrabkhani, a Baha’i Citizen, Arrested

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

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

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

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

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

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

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.