Tag: Baha’i citizen

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.

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Baha’i Citizen Angha Siavashi Arrested in Shiraz

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News, Religious Minorities
Angha Siavashi, Baha'i citizen, Shiraz, عنقا سیاوشی

HRANA – Last night, Angha Siavashi, a Baha’i resident of Shiraz, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location. At the same time, his residence was searched, and a number of his personal belongings were confiscated by agents.

A knowledgeable source close to the family of this Baha’i citizen, while confirming the matter, told HRANA: “Mr. Siavashi was arrested on the evening of Tuesday, April 7, 2026, by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence. At the same time, his residence was searched by the agents. During the search, electronic and personal items, including a modem, computer, laptop, mobile phones, photo albums, books, religious images, gold, and other property in the home, were confiscated.”

According to this informed source, “At the time of the arrest, the family was hosting guests. Security forces also searched all of the guests and confiscated their personal belongings as well, including phones and jewelry.”

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest or the charges brought against this Baha’i citizen.

Angha Siavashi, a 19-year-old Baha’i resident of Shiraz, has a prior conviction due to his religious beliefs.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been targeted by security and judicial authorities more than any other religious minority. A review of HRA’s annual reports shows that during the past year, an average of 62.41% of reports related to religious minorities concerned violations of the civil rights of Baha’is.

Shakila Ghasemi, a Baha’i Citizen, Arrested in Kerman

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, HRANA, Kerman, Shakila Ghasemi, شکیلا قاسمی

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.

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

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Ghazaleh Ra'yat, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison

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.

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.