Tag: Suzan Eid Mohammadzadegan

Two Baha’i Women in Babol Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison and Social Restrictions

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News, Religious Minorities
Babol, HRANA, Mohammad Sadegh Akbari, Niusha Badiei Sabet, Suzan Eid Mohammadzadegan, Tehran

Suzan Eid Mohammadzadegan and Niusha Badiei Sabet, two Baha’i citizens, have been sentenced to a total of 10 years in prison, along with additional social restrictions, by Branch 1 of the Babol Revolutionary Court.

In the court’s ruling, delivered to the defendants today, each was sentenced to five years in prison, with time served during pre-trial detention considered. Additionally, both women have been banned from all educational and training activities for 18 months. They were convicted of “engaging in educational or promotional activities contrary to the sacred Sharia of Islam.”

Eid Mohammadzadegan and Badiei Sabet were arrested on August 15, 2023, at Mohammadzadegan’s residence in Babol by security forces, who did not present a judicial warrant. The two were eventually released on bail on September 11, 2023, from Babol Prison.

Mohammad Sadegh Akbari, head of the judiciary in Mazandaran Province, had previously justified the closure of two schools and ten educational and sports centers in Babol by claiming these institutions were promoting the Baha’i faith. He also mentioned the arrest of two individuals, describing them as “prominent Baha’i instructors in Iran.”

However, a reliable source refuted these claims, telling HRANA, “Only four kindergartens were involved, at most. No religious promotion occurred in these centers; the focus was solely on children’s education, with parents present at all times.”

Niusha Badiei Sabet, 39, a psychologist, translator, and resident of Tehran, has faced previous arrests and judicial encounters due to her faith.

Baha’i Citizen Suzan Eid Mohammadzadegan Apprehended in Babol

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News, Religious Minorities
Babol, Baha'i citizen, Niusha Badiei Sabet, Suzan Eid Mohammadzadegan

On Tuesday, August 15, Baha’i citizen Suzan Eid Mohammadzadegan was arrested by security forces at her residence in Babol and taken to an undisclosed location.

A family insider disclosed to HRANA that the arresting officers failed to produce an official arrest warrant during the apprehension. The absence of any information pertaining to her current state and location has intensified concerns among her family members.

Furthermore, Niusha Badiei Sabet, another Baha’i individual who happened to be a guest at Mohammadzadegan’s residence, was also taken into custody during the incident.

As of now, the motives behind Mohammadzadegan’s detention, her current whereabouts, and the specific charges levied against her remain shrouded in uncertainty.

HRANA’s annual report has highlighted a concerning trend where, in 2022, 64.63% of reported human rights violations against religious minorities are directed toward the Baha’i community.

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.