Two Yarsani Brothers Detained in Kermanshah

On June 12, 2024, Shoja and Pourya Mennati Menjegh-Tapeh, adherents of the Yarsanism faith, were arrested by security forces in Kermanshah.

According to reports from Kurdpa, they were transferred to a detention facility operated by the Ministry of Intelligence in the area. The brothers, who had been serving their sentences under house arrest, were taken into custody during their routine daily check-in at Cheshmeh-Sefid Prison.

Previously, in October-November 2022, they were arrested during the 21st annual ceremony honoring Seyed Khalil Alinejad, a revered Yarsan figure. The Kermanshah Criminal Court subsequently sentenced them to one year in prison and 74 lashes for “disturbing public order.”

Yarsanism, also known as Ahl-e Haqq, is a syncretic religion that originated in western Iran during the late 14th century under the leadership of Sultan Sahak. As a religious minority, Yarsan followers often face intimidation and persecution at the hands of the security and judicial systems of the regime.

Four Yarsan Followers Detained in Kermanshah Province

Today, on November 10, security forces arrested four followers of Yarsanism—Seyed-Amin Abbasi, Kheirollah Haghjooyan, Pakzad Taheri, and Noshad Taheri. The location of their detention remains undisclosed.

Sources indicate that these individuals were apprehended at a police checkpoint on the road connecting Sarpol-e Zahab to Kermanshah. The reasons behind their arrests, their current whereabouts, and the allegations against them remain unknown.

It’s worth noting that Abbasi, Noshad Taheri, and Haghjooyan have a history of previous arrests and judicial confrontations.

Yarsanism, also known as Ahl-e Haqq, is a syncretic religion founded by Sultan Sahak in the late 14th century in western Iran. As a religious minority, Yarsan followers often face intimidation and prosecution by the regime’s security and judicial systems. The community’s rights and freedoms have been a subject of concern, reflecting broader challenges faced by religious minorities in the region.

Two Yarsan Believers Arrested in Kermanshah

Fariborz Shah-Ebrahimi and Seyed Farhad Zonnouri, followers of the Yarsan belief, were apprehended by security forces in Sahneh, Kermanshah Province on May 23, 2023, as reported by Kurdpa.

The arrest reportedly took place at their residences in a forceful manner, without the presentation of any arrest warrant.

According to an informed source, these people were arrested at their residences violently. The agents reportedly did not show any arrest warrant.
This is not the first instance of their persecution for their religious beliefs and practices. On November 18, 2022, they were violently detained during the 21st annual commemoration of Khalil Alinejad, a Kurdish singer-songwriter, and were subsequently released on bail.

Yarsanism, also known as Ahl-e Haqq, is a syncretic religion that originated in western Iran during the late 14th century under the leadership of Sultan Sahak. As a religious minority, Yarsan followers often face intimidation and persecution at the hands of the security and judicial systems of the regime.

 

Yarsan Follower Kaveh Salimi Arrested

On March 5, 2023, security forces arrested Kaveh Salimi at his home in Kermanshah and took her to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, on March 5, 2023, Kaveh Salimi, a follower of the Yari religion, was arrested by security forces in Kermanshah.

The agents reportedly searched his house and confiscated some of his belongings.
In recent weeks, Salimi was summoned via phone to IRGC’s intelligence office and interrogated.
The reason for his arrest and whereabouts are still unknown.

Yarsanism, Ahl-e Haqq is a syncretic religion founded by Sultan Sahak in the late 14th century in western Iran. As a religious minority, Yarsan followers are subjected to intimidation and prosecution by regime security and judicial systems.

 

Iran Protests: Yarsan Follower Sahar Fathi Arrested in Kermanshah

Security forces arrested Sahar Fathi in Kermanshah at recent protests and took her to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Yarsan follower Sahar Fathi was arrested by security forces in Kermanshah.

An informed source told HRANA that Fathi was arrested for the second time during recent protests.

Yarsanism, Ahl-e Haqq is a syncretic religion founded by Sultan Sahak in the late 14th century in western Iran. As a religious minority, Yarsan followers are subjected to intimidation and prosecution by regime security and judicial systems.

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Yarsan Civil Activist Seyyed-Karam Abbasi Arrested

On December 1, 2022, security forces violently arrested Yarsan civil activist Seyyed-Karam Abbasi and took him to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Yarsan civil activist Seyyed-Karam Abbasi was beaten and arrested by security forces.

One day before his arrest, his two brothers, Syeed-Amin and Seyyed-Soroush Abbasi and five other Yarsan followers were also arrested by the road police on the way to Bisotun, Kermanshah Province.

According to an informed source, all three brothers were beaten during the arrest; their houses were searched and damaged.

The reason for these arrests and their whereabouts are still unknown.

Yarsanism, Ahl-e Haqq is a syncretic religion founded by Sultan Sahak in the late 14th century in western Iran. As a religious minority, Yarsan followers are subjected to intimidation and prosecution by regime security and judicial systems.

 

Mojgan Kavousi Freed from Kachooie Prison

On January 5, political prisoner Mojgan Kavousi was released on furlough. By the end of her furlough period, she will have completed her sentence and will not return to prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Kavousi was released on furlough from Kachooie Prison in Karaj City.

On November 20, 2019, Kavousi was arrested by security forces in her home in Noshahr amid the nationwide protests that occurred in the fall of that year. After being held in detention for three weeks, she was sent to Noshahr Prison. On December 19, 2019, she was released on bail.

The Revolutionary Court in Noshahr sentenced her to six months in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime”, 33 months in prison for “membership in an opposing party” and 30 months in prison for “provocation in order to disturb public order”. During the appeal process, the first sentence was increased from six to seven and a half months due to the influence of the prosecutor. Moreover, she was sentenced to an additional 36 months on a new charge of “agitation in order to disturb public order”. The severest punishment of 36 months for the last charge was enforced, grounded in Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code.

On May 19, 2020, she was arrested and sent to Evin Prison to serve her sentence.

On July 26, 2021, Branch 28 of the Court of Appeals issued an order to relocate her to prison in Alborz Province to serve the rest of her sentence. Therefore, she was transferred from Evin Prison to Kachooie Prison in Karaj City on October 13, 2021.

Mojgan Kavouci is a writer, researcher and follower of Yarsanism.

Political Prisoner Mojgan Kavousi Transferred Back to Evin Prison from Kachooie Prison

On Wednesday, October 13, political prisoner Mojgan Kavousi was sent back to Evin Prison from Kachooie Prison in Karaj.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Kavousi was relocated to Karaj police detention center a while ago, and from there to Kachooie Prison.

In a phone call with her family, Kavousi informed them about this relocation.  The reason for her transfer to Kachooie Prison is still unknown.

On July 26, 2021, Branch 28 of the appellate court in Mazandaran Province issued an order to transfer the political prisoner to a prison in Alborz Province for the remainder of her sentence.

“Due to  COVID-related restrictions making family visitation difficult, Mrs Kavousi asked for transferring to Noshahr where her family are living,” an informed source told HRANA. “On July 13, 2021, they transferred her to Noshahr but after spending one-night in police detention centre, they sent her back to Tehran. Considering that her family are residing in either Tehran or Noshahr, it is not clear why she should be transferred to a prison in Alborz Province.”

On November 20, 2019, Mojgan Kavousi was arrested by security forces amid nationwide protests in the mid-fall of the year, from her home in Noshahr. After being held three weeks in detention, she was sent to Noshahr Prison. On December 19, 2019, she was released on bail.

The Revolutionary Court in Noshahr sentenced her to 6 months on a charge of “the propaganda against the regime”, 33 months on a charge of “membership in opposition parties” and 30 months on a charge of “provoking to disturb the public order”. During the appeal process, the sentence was increased by seven months due to the influence of the prosecutor.

Mojgan Kavouci is a writer, researcher and follower of Yarsanism.