Tag: Baha’i citizen

Baha’i Citizen Faranak Zabihi Sentenced to Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Faranak Zabihi, HRANA, Qaemshahr, فرانک ذبیحی

HRANA – Faranak Zabihi, a Baha’i citizen, has been sentenced by the Qaemshahr Revolutionary Court to two years in prison and a two-year deprivation of social rights.

According to HRANA, Faranak Zabihi has been sentenced to imprisonment and deprivation of social rights.

Based on information received by HRANA, this Baha’i citizen was sentenced by Reza Majazi, a judge at the Qaemshahr Revolutionary Court, to two years and one day of imprisonment and a two-year deprivation of social rights on the charge of “propaganda against the regime through promoting the Baha’i Faith.”

Ms. Zabihi’s court hearing was held on August 3, 2026, and the aforementioned verdict was issued on August 10, 2026.

Faranak Zabihi Mahforujaki, a Baha’i citizen residing in Qaemshahr, was arrested by security forces on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. She was released one day later from Tir Kola Prison in Sari after posting bail. Her arrest was accompanied by a search of her home, during which a number of personal and electronic belongings belonging to her and members of her family were confiscated.

Over the past decade, Iran’s Baha’i community has faced more security and judicial actions than any other religious minority. A review of HRA’s annual reports indicates that, over the past year, an average of 62.41% of reports concerning religious minorities involved violations of the civil rights of Baha’is.

Appeals Court Upholds One-Year Prison Sentence for Baha’i Citizen Amin Imanian

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News, Religious Minorities
Amin Imanian, Babol, Baha'i citizen, HRANA, امین ایمانیان

HRANA – The Mazandaran Province Court of Appeals has upheld, in full, the one-year prison sentence issued against Amin Imanian, a Baha’i resident of Babol.

According to HRANA, Amin Imanian has been sentenced to imprisonment.

Based on information received by HRANA, Branch 9 of the Mazandaran Province Court of Appeals sentenced Mr. Imanian to one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” The ruling was electronically served on him on July 21.

Mr. Imanian had previously been sentenced to the same term of imprisonment by Branch 1 of the Babol Revolutionary Court at the trial stage.

Previously, an informed source told HRANA that Mr. Imanian is active in the sport of boxing, working as both a boxing coach and a referee.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to more security-related and judicial persecution than any other religious minority in the country. According to HRA’s annual reports, an average of 62.41% of all reported violations of the rights of religious minorities during the past calendar year involved violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

Baha’i Citizen Arman Misaghian Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Arman Misaghian, Baha'i citizen, HRANA, Seyed Ali Mazloum, آرمان میثاقیان

HRANA – Arman Misaghian, a Baha’i citizen, has been sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court to two years of discretionary imprisonment, along with additional punitive measures.

According to HRANA, Arman Misaghian, a Baha’i citizen, has been sentenced to prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Arman Misaghian to one year of discretionary imprisonment on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and an additional one year on the charge of “insulting the Supreme Leader.” As supplementary punishment, the court also banned him for two years from driving, signing commercial documents, and membership in groups.

The case was presided over by Judge Seyed Ali Mazloum.

So far, no information has been made available regarding the specific conduct underlying the charges brought against this citizen.

Over the past decade, Iran’s Baha’i community has been subjected to more security-related and judicial persecution than any other religious minority in the country. According to HRA’s annual reports, an average of 62.41% of all reported violations of the rights of religious minorities during the past year involved violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

Baha’i Citizen Shideh Tavakkoli Sentenced to Prison and Additional Punishments

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, HRANA, Shideh Tavakkoli

HRANA – Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court has sentenced Baha’i citizen Shideh Tavakkoli to 11 years in prison, permanent deprivation of employment in government and public service, and a monetary fine. The court also ordered the confiscation of part of her property.

According to HRANA, Shideh Tavakkoli has been sentenced to imprisonment and additional punishments.

According to the ruling issued by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, Ms. Tavakkoli was sentenced to 10 years in prison, permanent deprivation of employment in government and public service, and a fine of 3.3 billion rials (330 million tomans) on charges of membership in anti-state groups and propaganda activities contrary to Islamic law. She was also sentenced to one additional year in prison on the charge of propaganda against the state.

The court further ordered the confiscation of two properties belonging to her in Tehran, valued at 18.7 billion tomans, as well as part of her personal belongings, including electronic devices, books, and religious items.

The verdict was issued by the court on May 20, 2026, and served on Ms. Tavakkoli on May 26, 2026.

Shideh Tavakkoli was arrested by security forces at her home in Tehran on May 27, 2025. After the completion of interrogations, she was temporarily released from prison on bail.

Over the past decade, Iran’s Baha’i community has been subjected to more security-related and judicial persecution than any other religious minority in the country. According to annual reports published by HRA, 62.41% of all reported violations of the rights of religious minorities during the past calendar year involved Baha’is, on average.

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.

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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.

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.

Nouyan Hejazi, Baha’i Citizen, Sentenced to Prison and Additional Punishments

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Juybar, Leva Samimi, Nouyan Hejazi

HRANA – Nouyan Hejazi, a Baha’i citizen residing in Juybar, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of the city to imprisonment, a monetary fine, and deprivation of social rights.

According to HRANA, Nouyan Hejazi was sentenced by the Juybar Revolutionary Court, operating through Branch 102 of the Criminal Court of the county. Based on a ruling recently issued by the branch, Mr. Hejazi was sentenced to pay a fine exceeding 122 million tomans and deprived of social rights for 10 years on charges described as “promoting the Baha’i faith.” He was also sentenced to seven months and 16 days in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

Nouyan Hejazi was arrested on June 25, 2025, by security forces at his home without the presentation of a judicial warrant. He was later released on bail on August 3, 2025.

Leva Samimi, Nouyan’s wife, was also arrested when she went to Kachouei Detention Center in Sari to follow up on her husband’s situation. She was released on bail some time later.

Baha’i Citizen Flora Samadani Arrested in Yazd

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News, Religious Minorities
Ahmad Naeimi, Baha'i citizen, Flora Samadani, HRANA, Yazd

HRANA – Flora Samadani, a Baha’i citizen, was arrested on Sunday, May 3, by security forces in Yazd. Three days after her arrest, there is still no precise information available regarding her fate.

According to HRANA, the continued detention and uncertainty surrounding Flora Samadani has now entered its third day. Based on information received by HRANA, this Baha’i citizen was detained by security forces in Yazd on Sunday, May 3, and no information about her condition or whereabouts has been made available since. The lack of information about her situation has increased concerns among her family.

As of the time of this report, no details have been obtained regarding the reasons for her arrest or the charges brought against her.

Flora Samadani is a Baha’i resident of Yazd and the wife of Ahmad Naeimi. Mr. Naeimi has previously been arrested and faced judicial actions due to his religious beliefs.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to more security and judicial pressures than any other religious minority. A review of annual reports 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’is.

Baha’i Citizen Sara Sepehri Arrested in Shiraz

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News, Other
Baha'i citizen, HRANA, Sara Sepehri, Shiraz, سارا سپهری

HRANA – Yesterday, Sara Sepehri, a Baha’i resident of Shiraz, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location. At the same time, both her residence and her mother’s home were searched, during which a number of her personal and digital belongings were confiscated.

A source close to the family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Ms. Sepehri was arrested yesterday by security agents at her residence. Simultaneously, both her home and her mother’s home were searched. During the search, all of her electronic devices, as well as personal and work-related items, were seized.”

The source further added: “The agents broke down the front door in order to enter Ms. Sepehri’s home. Her mother also lives with a disability and requires continuous care. In addition, Sara Sepehri is under medical supervision, and the stress caused by the situation, combined with concern for her mother, could put her health at risk.”

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 this Baha’i citizen.

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