HRANA – Moein Mohammadi-Dehaj, a Baha’i resident of Yazd, has been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Yazd Revolutionary Court to 16 years, 7 months and 18 days of discretionary imprisonment, 10 years of deprivation of social rights, and permanent dismissal from government and public service.
According to HRANA, Moein Mohammadi-Dehaj, a Baha’i citizen, has been sentenced to imprisonment and additional punishments.
According to a ruling issued by Branch 1 of the Yazd Revolutionary Court and formally communicated to Mr. Mohammadi-Dehaj, he was sentenced to a total of 16 years, 7 months and 18 days in prison. In addition, as supplementary punishments, he was sentenced to 10 years of deprivation of social rights and permanent dismissal from government and public service. Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, which governs the aggregation of sentences, only the harshest sentence, 12 years, 6 months and 1 day of imprisonment, will be enforceable.
According to the details of the verdict, Mr. Mohammadi-Dehaj received:
• Seven months and 16 days of discretionary imprisonment on the charge of “propaganda against the regime,” pursuant to Article 500 of the Islamic Penal Code;
• Three years, 6 months and 1 day of discretionary imprisonment, along with 10 years of deprivation of social rights, on the charge of “deviant propaganda contrary to the sacred law of Islam through the promotion of the Baha’i faith,” pursuant to Article 500 bis of the Islamic Penal Code;
• Twelve years, 6 months and 1 day of discretionary imprisonment and permanent dismissal from government and public service on the charge of “media and propaganda activities against national security,” pursuant to Article 4 of the Law on Intensifying the Punishment for Espionage and Collaboration with Israel and Hostile States Against National Security and Interests.
According to information received by HRANA, the convictions related to the charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “deviant propaganda contrary to the sacred law of Islam” may be appealed within 20 days of notification. The conviction for “media and propaganda activities against national security” may be challenged through an appeal before the Supreme Court within 10 days.
Mr. Mohammadi-Dehaj was arrested by security forces at his home in Yazd on January 5, 2026, during which several personal belongings belonging to him and his family were confiscated. He was subsequently released from prison on March 17, 2026, after posting bail of 50 billion rials (five billion tomans).
Moein Mohammadi-Dehaj is a 39-year-old Baha’i resident of Yazd who has previously faced arrest and conviction.
Over the past decade, Iran’s Baha’i community has been subjected to more security and judicial repression than any other religious minority in the country. According to HRA annual reports, an average of 62.41% of all reported violations of the rights of religious minorities during the past year involved members of the Baha’i community.
