Baha’i Women Upheld with Three Years and Eight Months Sentence on Appeal

The Court of Appeal in Razavi Khorasan Province has affirmed the three-year, eight-month sentence for each of Baha’i citizens Golnoosh Nasiri and Farideh Moradi.

According to a source close to these women, who confirmed the news to HRANA, the verdict includes three years for “membership in groups to act against national security” and eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime.”

The initial judgment was issued by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Hadi Mansouri, during a court session held on October 11, 2023.

Their investigation procedures took place in late August 2023, during which each was granted bail with five billion tomans, approximately equivalent to 100,000 dollars.

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.

Two Baha’i Women Receive Prison Sentences in Mashhad

Golnoosh Nasiri and Farideh Moradi, both Baha’i citizens, have been sentenced to three years and eight months in prison by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court.

Judge Hadi Mansouri issued this verdict on October 26, which allocates three years for “membership in a group with intentions against national security” and eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime.”

According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, if the decision stands after appeal, they will serve a three-year prison term for the first charge.

Nasiri and Moradi were granted release on bail totaling 5 billion tomans (approximately 100,000 dollars) in late August of this year.

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.

At Least 300 Dervishes Arrested in a Police Operation

HRANA News Agency – Following the clashes between police forces and Dervishes in Tehran, Iran’s law enforcement spokesman announced the arrest of at least 300 Dervishes. Five others were killed in the clashes. NAJA has confirmed that three law enforcement officers and two Basijis were killed. The reports indicate that about 70 women have been arrested and were transferred to the Qarchak prison in Varamin. Many detained men have also been transferred to Evin Prison, although there is no information available on the fate of a large number of detainees.

According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency in Iran (HRANA), after arresting one of the Gonabadi dervishes, Nematullah Riahi, a group of Gonabadi dervishes gathered to protest. The protesting dervishes demanded Mr. Riahi’s unconditional release. Continue reading “At Least 300 Dervishes Arrested in a Police Operation”