Tag: Baha’i citizen

Appeal Court Upholds 25-Year Prison Sentence for Baha’i Citizen Rouya Sabet

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News, Religious Minorities
Adelabad Prison, Baha'i citizen, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Rouya Sabet, Shiraz, رویا ثابت

HRANA – The 25-year prison sentence of Rouya Sabet, a Baha’i citizen residing in Shiraz, has been upheld in full by Branch 37 of the Fars Province Court of Appeals.

The ruling, issued on September 23 by the appellate court, has since been officially communicated to Ms. Sabet. According to the verdict, she received 10 years in prison for each of the charges of “collaboration and communication with Israeli nationals and institutions” and “forming and running a group with the intent to act against national security.” She was also sentenced to five years in prison for “religious propaganda activity contrary to the Sharia of Islam.”

As complementary punishments, Ms. Sabet was handed a two-year travel ban (including passport cancellation), five years’ deprivation of social rights, and a ban on online activity.

The verdict is final. Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the heaviest sentence, 10 years of imprisonment, will be enforceable.

On May 28, 2024, Branch 1 of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court had initially sentenced Ms. Sabet to 25 years in prison along with additional penalties on the same charges.

Rouya Sabet, a Baha’i citizen residing in the United Arab Emirates, was summoned and arrested by the IRGC Intelligence Organization in Shiraz on February 15, 2024, while visiting the city. She was released approximately five months later from Adelabad Prison in Shiraz after posting bail.

Continued Incommunicado Detention of Baha’i Citizen Mehran Dastournezhad

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Marvdasht, Mehran Dastournezhad, مهران دستورنژاد

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.

Baha’i Citizen Sahba Mohammadi Arrested in Birjand

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Birjand, HRANA, Sahba Mohammadi

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.

Nazanin Abedini, Baha’i Citizen, Arrested in Qaemshahr

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Nazanin Abedini, Qaemshahr, نازنین عابدینی

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 Arman Nikaein Arrested in Shiraz

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News, Religious Minorities
Arman Nikaein, Baha'i citizen, HRANA, IRGC Intelligence, Qeshm, Shiraz

HRANA News Agency – On Monday, June 23, Arman Nikaein, a Baha’i citizen, was arrested in Shiraz and taken to an undisclosed location.

A source close to Nikaein’s family told HRANA that around 10 IRGC intelligence agents raided the Momtazian family home in Shiraz on Monday night. During the operation, agents searched the property, confiscated electronic devices from those present, and arrested Nikaein—who is the family’s son-in-law—without presenting a court warrant.

The source added that Mr. Nikaein’s mother suffered a nervous breakdown during the raid and was transported to a hospital by ambulance due to the severity of her condition.

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

Arman Nikaein, who resides in Qeshm, is a Baha’i composer and music instructor.

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Baha’i Citizen Sheida Rouhani Arrested in Tehran

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, HRANA, Sheida Rouhani

HRANA News Agency –Sheida Rouhani, a Baha’i resident of Tehran, was arrested by security forces on Tuesday, May 27, at her home and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Rouhani was arrested despite ongoing efforts by her family to obtain information about her situation. As of this report, her whereabouts remain unknown, raising serious concerns among her relatives.

A source close to the family told HRANA that around 5 p.m., ten security agents arrived at Rouhani’s apartment building. After convincing a neighbor to open the door, they entered her unit with a search warrant. The agents searched the home extensively and seized three laptops, two mobile phones, three tablets, three property deeds, a vehicle registration, academic documents, as well as books and photographs related to the Baha’i faith. Gold and a sum of U.S. dollars were also confiscated.

Before leaving, the agents told Rouhani she needed to accompany them to speak with a prosecutor. She was then taken into custody.

Rouhani is married and the mother of one child.

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’is Vahid Sabet Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Elham Haghighatjou, Rozita Eslami, Shiraz, Vahid Masoumi, Vahid Sabet

Yesterday, November 10, Vahid Sabet, a Baha’i citizen residing in Shiraz, was arrested by security forces in this city and transferred to an undisclosed location.

HRANA has confirmed the identity of the individual as “Vahid Sabet, a Baha’i citizen residing in Shiraz.”

As of the time of this report, no information is available about his whereabouts or the charges against him.

Additionally, three other Baha’i citizens in Shiraz — Rozita Eslami, Elham Haghighatjou, and Vahid Masoumi — were also arrested yesterday by security forces. Following their detention, they were transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as “House No 100.”

Baha’is are subjected to violations of their religious rights, comprising 82% of reports on infringements against religious minorities, according to HRA’s 2023 annual report.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

Baha’i Citizen Negar Misaghian Arrested by Security Forces in Shiraz

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Negar Misaghian, Shiraz

On Wednesday, September 18, Negar Misaghian, a Baha’i citizen residing in Shiraz, was arrested by security forces and transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Shiraz, known as House No 100.

A source close to Misaghian told HRANA, “At 1:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, September 18, several security agents came to Ms. Misaghian’s home, arrested her, and transferred her to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Shiraz, known as House No 100. The agents also searched the premises and confiscated several personal items, including her mobile phone, laptop, and passport.”

According to information received by HRANA, Misaghian’s arrest took place while she is the mother of a two-year-old child, leaving her husband and child in a difficult situation. The reasons for Misaghian’s arrest and the charges against this Baha’i citizen remain unknown.

Negar Misaghian has previously been arrested and faced judicial actions due to her activities.

Baha’is are subjected to violations of their religious rights, comprising 82% of reports on infringements against religious minorities, according to HRA’s 2023 annual report.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

 

Detention Order for Baha’i Citizen Nahid Behroozi Extended

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News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Alborz province, Baha'i citizen, HRANA, Kachooie Prison, Nahid Behroozi

Nahid Behroozi (Forouhari), a Baha’i citizen, remains in a state of uncertainty in Kachooie Prison, Karaj, 26 days after her arrest. Today, her detention order was extended for another week.

A source close to Behroozi’s family confirmed to HRANA: “Today, Ms. Behroozi’s detention order was extended for another week. Despite 25 days having passed since her arrest, she remains in a state of uncertainty in Kachooie Prison, Karaj.”
This Baha’i citizen was transferred to Kachooie Prison, Karaj, on August 15th after completing interrogation at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility.

Behroozi was arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence agents at her home in Fardis, Alborz province, on Monday, July 29, 2024.

The reasons for Behroozi’s arrest and the charges against her remain unknown.

Baha’i Citizen Shabnam Tebyanian Receives Sentence and Additional Penalties

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Semnan, Shabnam Tebyanian, شبنم تبیانیان

Shabnam Tebyanian (TebIanian), a Baha’i citizen, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Semnan to six months imprisonment along with supplementary punishments. However, the prison term has been commuted to a fine.

Tebyanian was found guilty of “engaging in educational activities and propagating against Sharia Islam,” resulting in a two-year prohibition from affiliating with civil or political organizations and groups. Additionally, she has been mandated to attend “Cult Therapy” courses organized by the Islamic Development Organization.

The incident stems from Tebyanian’s arrest by security forces on August 21, 2023, in Semnan. During the arrest, her residence was searched, and some of her possessions were confiscated. She was subsequently released on bail in September 2023 pending further legal proceedings.

Shabnam Tebyanian, a mother of two and a Semnan resident, now faces financial penalties instead of imprisonment following the court’s decision.

Baha’is are subjected to violations of their religious rights, comprising 82% of reports on infringements against religious minorities, according to HRA’s 2023 annual report.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.