HRANA – From March to October 2026, dozens of Baha’i citizens in Yazd faced security and judicial actions, including home searches, confiscation of personal belongings, summonses for interrogation, and judicial prosecution. During this period, a gathering attended by approximately 50 people was dispersed, 18 summonses for interrogation were reported, and three citizens were sentenced to prison. Additionally, one citizen was transferred to prison to serve a sentence. During these operations, agents confiscated mobile phones and other personal belongings belonging to citizens, their guests, and family members, some of which have yet to be returned. This report examines the details of these incidents.
According to HRANA, between March 28 and October 15, 2026, security and judicial actions against Baha’i citizens in Yazd extended beyond those facing legal proceedings, affecting participants in private gatherings, guests, and family members. During this period, security agents searched numerous homes and confiscated mobile phones, electronic devices, books, photographs, and religious items associated with the Baha’i Faith. In one case, agents also seized a citizen’s private vehicle.
A review of the incidents indicates that Shahrivar (23 August–September 22) saw the highest number of security-related actions. During that month, six residential homes were searched, and six citizens were summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence for interrogation. In Mehr (23 September–October 15, 2026), four residential homes and a farm were also searched. One of these operations took place on the tenth anniversary of the murder of a Baha’i citizen and involved approximately 40 security agents.
| Type of Action | Recorded Figures |
|---|---|
| Total Recorded Incidents | Approximately 34 |
| Searches of Premises | 11 |
| Dispersal of Private Gathering | 1 gathering, approximately 50 attendees |
| Summonses for Interrogation | 18 |
| Prison Sentences Issued | 3 individuals |
| Enforcement of Prison Sentences | 1 individual |
| Total Prison Sentences Imposed | 20 years, 1 month, and 20 days |
Of the 11 recorded searches, 10 involved residential homes, while one involved a farm belonging to a Baha’i family. The approximately 18 reported summonses included around 12 in Tir (22 June–22 July) and six in Shahrivar . These figures do not necessarily indicate that 18 different individuals were summoned. Similarly, the total of approximately 34 incidents represents the combined number of actions listed in the table, rather than the number of individuals affected or separate operations carried out by security agents.
Dispersal of a Private Gathering and Summonses of Participants
The first incident in this series of security actions was reported on March 28, 2026. On that day, approximately 50 Baha’i citizens in Yazd had gathered to share ash, a traditional Iranian soup, in keeping with a local custom. Agents from the Ministry of Intelligence arrived at the location, dispersed the gathering, and confiscated the attendees’ mobile phones.
According to information received, the agents did not present a judicial warrant when confiscating the phones. Although most attendees approached the relevant legal authorities to recover their belongings, the phones have yet to be returned to their owners.
In Tir, approximately 12 participants in the gathering were summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence for interrogation. No information is available regarding the official reasons for these summonses or any potential charges brought against them.
Searches of Baha’i Citizens’ Homes and Confiscation of Personal Belongings
In Shahrivar, security agents searched six residential homes belonging to Baha’i citizens in Yazd. During these operations, they confiscated not only the homeowners’ belongings but also the mobile phones of their guests.
On August 26, security agents searched the home of Shahrokh Nasiri. During the operation, they confiscated the mobile phones of six guests present at his home.
On September 2 and 3, six Baha’i citizens were summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence in Yazd for interrogation. No further information is available regarding the reasons for their summonses or the outcomes of their interrogations.
On September 12, security agents searched the homes of three Baha’i citizens. During these operations, mobile phones and books found in the homes were confiscated. The identities of these three citizens have not yet been established.
One day later, on September 13, the home of Majid Ghaneh was searched. Agents confiscated mobile phones, a laptop, books, photographs, and items associated with the Baha’i Faith. They also seized his personal vehicle.
Approximately eight guests were present at the home during the search, and their mobile phones were also confiscated. One of the guests, Parnia Basiri, who did not have a mobile phone with her, was taken by the agents to her own residence.
After entering her home, the agents searched the premises and confiscated all mobile phones belonging to her family members, along with items associated with the Baha’i Faith.
These incidents demonstrate that the security operations were not limited to the homeowners. At two private gatherings, the mobile phones of approximately 14 guests were confiscated, and in one instance, a guest’s home was also searched.
Searches of a Family’s Homes on the Anniversary of Their Father’s Murder
In Mehr, security operations continued with searches of four residential homes and a farm. Three of these homes belonged to members of the family of Farhang Amiri, a Baha’i citizen who was murdered in Yazd.
On September 27, 2026, coinciding with the tenth anniversary of Farhang Amiri’s murder, approximately 40 security agents arrived at his family’s home.
According to information received, the agents conducted a prolonged search of the residence and confiscated mobile phones, personal belongings, and items associated with the Baha’i Faith.
That same evening, the home of Payam Amiri, Farhang Amiri’s son, as well as the home of his daughter Neda Amiri and son-in-law Maziar Mottahed, were searched. Agents also confiscated a number of their personal belongings.
According to information received, the psychological distress caused by the agents’ presence and the search of the home led to a deterioration in Ms. Amiri’s health, requiring her to be taken to an emergency medical facility.
An informed source told HRANA that the agents had visited the family members’ homes under the assumption that they had organized a ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of Farhang Amiri’s murder.
Four days later, on October 1, security agents arrived at a farm belonging to the Amiri family. After searching the property, they confiscated mobile phones and several items found on the premises.
Farhang Amiri, a 63-year-old Baha’i citizen, was stabbed to death outside his home in Yazd on September 26, 2016. Following their arrest, the two suspects in the case stated that his religious beliefs had motivated the murder.
Ten years after the incident, members of the Amiri family faced searches of their homes and confiscation of their personal belongings on the anniversary of their father’s murder.
Subsequently, on October 15, security agents arrived at the home of Soheil Rouhanifard, another Baha’i citizen residing in Yazd. After searching his home, they confiscated a number of his personal belongings.
Prison Sentences Issued and Enforced Against Baha’i Citizens
In addition to home searches and the confiscation of personal belongings, three Baha’i citizens in Yazd have been sentenced to prison, while another citizen has been transferred to prison to serve a sentence.
Flora Samadani and Ahmad Naeimi, a Baha’i couple residing in Yazd, were sentenced by Branch 1 of the Yazd Revolutionary Court to a combined total of three years, six months, and two days in prison.
According to a verdict issued on October 12, Flora Samadani was sentenced to three years and one day in prison on charges of “deviant propaganda activities contrary to the sacred law of Islam through the promotion of the Baha’i Faith.” Her husband was also sentenced to six months and one day in prison for aiding and abetting the same offense.
Ms. Samadani had previously been arrested on May 3 and released on bail on June 20. Ahmad Naeimi was also arrested on June 13 and released on bail on July 4.
In a separate case, Moein Mohammadi-Dehj, a 39-year-old Baha’i citizen, was sentenced in August by Branch 1 of the Yazd Revolutionary Court to a total of 16 years, seven months, and 18 days of discretionary imprisonment. He was also sentenced to a 10-year deprivation of social rights and a permanent ban from employment in government and public services.
Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe sentence of 12 years, six months, and one day in prison will be enforceable against him.
Additionally, Iman Rashidi, a Baha’i citizen residing in Yazd, was summoned to prison on August 23 to begin serving his sentence. After reporting to the judicial authorities, he was arrested and transferred to prison.
Mr. Rashidi had previously served a prison sentence and was released from Yazd Prison in February 2018 after completing his earlier sentence.
Confiscation of Personal Belongings and Failure to Return Seized Property
The confiscation of mobile phones and personal belongings has been a recurring practice in security operations targeting Baha’i citizens in Yazd.
During the gathering in Farvardin (21 Match-20 April, 2026), the mobile phones of approximately 50 people were confiscated. In Shahrivar, the mobile phones of approximately 14 guests at two separate homes were also seized. In other incidents, agents confiscated electronic devices, books, photographs, items associated with the Baha’i Faith, and a private vehicle.
According to information received, despite repeated visits and follow-up efforts by some citizens with the relevant legal authorities, a significant portion of the confiscated property has yet to be returned to its owners. Furthermore, no clear information is available regarding the legal grounds for retaining these belongings or when they might be returned.
The prolonged confiscation of mobile phones and electronic devices can disrupt family communications, professional activities, and citizens’ access to essential information and services, particularly in cases where the communication devices of all members of a household have been seized.
Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to more security and judicial actions than any other religious minority. An examination of annual reports published by HRA’s Department of Statistics and Publications indicates that, during the past year, an average of 62.41% of reports concerning religious minorities involved violations of the civil rights of Baha’is.
