Tag: Baha’i faith

Baha’is Shahin Mavaddat and Soodabeh Mahdinzhad Arrested in Gorgan

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i faith, Bahais, Gorgan, HRANA, Shahin Mavaddat, Soodabeh Mahdinzhad, Soodabeh Mehdinejad

On Monday, September 23, 2024, Baháʼí couple Shahin Mavaddat and Soodabeh Mahdinzhad, residents of Gorgan, were arrested by security forces at their home and taken to an undisclosed location. The agents also conducted a thorough search of their residence, seizing multiple electronic devices and religious books.

A source close to the family confirmed to HRANA: “On Monday, 10 Ministry of Intelligence agents arrived at the home of Shahin Mavaddat and Soodabeh Mahdinzhad with a search and arrest warrant. They detained the couple following a two-hour search, during which they confiscated mobile phones, personal electronic devices, Baháʼí religious texts, and the home’s CCTV system.”

The source added that security forces also examined the electronic devices of other family members. During the entire search, the agents recorded the events using three cameras.

As of now, no information has been released regarding the reasons for their arrest or their current whereabouts.

Soodabeh Mahdinzhad has a prior history of arrest and sentencing due to her religious beliefs.

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 Children’s Rights Activist Samin Ehsani Imprisoned

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Afghan children, Baha'i faith, children's rights activist, Samin Ehsani

On Wednesday, June 15, 2022, Baha’i children’s rights activist Samin Ehsani was arrested and taken to Evin Prison to serve a five-year sentence.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, Baha’i children’s rights activist Samin Ehsani was taken to Evin Prison for sentencing.

Earlier, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Ehsani to five years in prison on the charges of “propaganda against the regime”, and “membership in the heretical Baha’i sect”. The verdict was issued on July 1, 2012. The verdict was upheld on appeal.

Samin Ehsani has been active in running educational courses for Afghan children who do not have access to education in Iran. During the trial, her activities were presented as an example of the charges.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach of 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 Saeedeh Khozui Released on Bail after 43 Days of Detention 

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Araslan Yazdani, Baha'i citizen, Baha'i faith, Saeedeh Khozui

On Tuesday, Baha’i citizen Saeedeh Khozui was released on bail temporarily until the end of legal proceedings. She was held in Evin Prison for 43 days.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Tuesday morning, Baha’i citizen Saeedeh Khozui was released on a 2 billion tomans bail. She had been arrested on April 11, 2022.

Saeedeh Khozui is the mother of Arsalan Yazdani who was also arrested in Tehran on September 1, 2021, and transferred to a detention center in Evin Prison. On September 30, 2021, security forces searched his house and confiscated some of Mr. Yazdani’s belongings including his laptop, other electronic devices and documents. Subsequently, Arsalan Yazdani was released on bail on October 17, 2021.

According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian constitution recognizes only Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Because their faith is not considered legitimate by authorities, the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach of 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 Saeedeh Khozui in Detention 40 Days after Arrest

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Baha'i faith, Saeedeh Khozui

Baha’i citizen Saeedeh Khozui is still jailed in the detention facility A1, which is at the disposal of the IRGC Intelligence. On April 11, 2022, she was arrested after an appearance at Branch 2 of Evin Courthouse.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Baha’i citizen Saeedeh Khozui has been in detention for 40 days under uncertain conditions.

On Thursday, May 19, in a phone call to her family, Khozui informed them that currently she is detained at an IRCGS detention facility A1. Khozui’s family had frequently inquired about her charges and whereabouts before, which was not responded to by the authorities.

Mrs Khozai suffers from migraine and the prison does not serve regular meals during the month of Ramadan, which makes her health conditions worse.

Saeedeh Khozui is the mother of Arsalan Yazdani who was arrested by security forces in Tehran on September 1, 2021, and transferred to a detention center in Evin Prison. On September 30, 2021, security forces searched his house and confiscated some of Mr. Yazdani’s belongings including his laptop, other electronic devices and documents. Subsequently, Arsalan Yazdani was released on bail on October 17, 2021. 

According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian constitution recognizes only Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Because their faith is not considered legitimate by authorities, the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach of 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 Sahba Farnoush to Serve Two Years Sentence

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Baha'i faith, Sahba Farnoush

On Wednesday, May 11, 2022, Sahba Farnoush, a Baha’i citizen and resident of Tehran, started to serve his two-year prison sentence at Evin Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Baha’i citizen Sahba Farnoush started his sentencing at Tehran’s Evin Prison.

On November 15, 2015, on the day of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Baha’u’llah, the prophet and founder of the Baha’i faith, security forces raided Farnoush’s house in Tehran and transferred him to Evin prison. During the arrest, the agents confiscated some of his personal belongings such as his laptop and cell phone. On December 23, 2015,  he was released on a 200 million tomans bail.

In January of 2020, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Mr. Farnoush to 10 years in prison on the charge of “running a Baha’i organization”,  5 years on the charge of “membership in an anti-regime group” and 1 year on the charge of “propaganda against the regime through promoting the Baha’i faith”, to total 16 years of imprisonment. Subsequently, following the acceptance of his request for a retrial, Farnoush was acquitted of the last two charges and received six years imprisonment for “running a Baha’i organization”. This verdict was upheld on appeal.

Ultimately, Iran’s Supreme Court accepted his request for retrial and the sentence was reduced to two years.

Freedom of religion is a breach of 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 practice religion freely, freedom of converting to a religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

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