Tag: Yazd

Baha’i Citizen Mitra Bandi Amirabadi Sentenced to Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
HRANA, Mitra Bandi Amirabadi, Yazd, میترا بندر امیرآبادی

HRANA – Mitra Bandi Amirabadi, a Baha’i resident of Yazd, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Yazd to five years of discretionary imprisonment and a 10-year deprivation of social rights. Three years of the prison sentence have been suspended for a period of three years.

According to HRANA, Mitra Bandi Amirabadi has been sentenced to prison. Under a ruling issued by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Yazd, this Baha’i citizen was convicted on the charge of “deviant propaganda activity contrary to the sacred law of Islam through the promotion of the Baha’i faith,” under Article 500 bis of the Islamic Penal Code. She was sentenced to five years of discretionary imprisonment and a 10-year deprivation of social rights. Three years of her prison sentence have been suspended for a period of three years.

If the verdict is upheld on appeal, Ms. Bandi Amirabadi will be required to serve two years of discretionary imprisonment.

On June 17, 2025, security forces searched the home of this Baha’i citizen. The search was carried out around midnight, and officers confiscated a number of electronic devices, personal belongings, and several religious books.

Mitra Bandi Amirabadi, a Baha’i resident of Yazd, has previously been arrested and convicted because of her religious beliefs.

Woman and Several Others Arrested After Semi-Nude Appearance in Yazd

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
HRANA, Yazd

HRANA – The Public Relations Office of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Yazd has announced the arrest of a woman who appeared semi-nude in the city, along with several individuals involved in recording and publishing a video of her, accusing them of what it described as “violating social norms.”

According to HRANA, citing IRIB News, several citizens, including a woman, have been arrested in Yazd.

The Public Relations Office of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Yazd claimed that following the circulation of a video showing a semi-nude woman in Yazd’s Ghadir Park, where she allegedly engaged in “norm-breaking” behavior, the prosecutor’s office launched a special investigation into the case.

According to the authorities, following legal procedures and under a judicial order, the woman and several individuals who had recorded and shared the video were identified and arrested.

The report did not provide further details, including the identities of those arrested, the exact number of detainees, or where they are being held.

Ilya Bakhshaei Remains Imprisoned in Evin as Five-Year Sentence Stands

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Ilya Bakhshaei, Yazd, ایلیا بخشایی

HRANA – Ilya Bakhshaei, a student at the University of Yazd and one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests, is currently serving his prison sentence in Evin Prison. He was sentenced to five years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court at the trial stage, and the verdict was upheld in full on appeal.

A source close to the family, confirming the matter to HRANA, said: “Mr. Bakhshaei, who is being held in Evin Prison, recently submitted a request for judicial review of his case to the Supreme Court.”

According to information received by HRANA, the University of Yazd student was sentenced at the trial stage by the Revolutionary Court to five years in prison on charges of assembly and collusion to act against national security. The verdict was later upheld in its entirety by Branch 21 of the Tehran Province Court of Appeals.

Ilya Bakhshaei, a sports sciences student at the University of Yazd, was arrested in January 2026 in connection with the nationwide protests.

Eight Prisoners Executed in Yazd Prison

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Executions, News
Ghafour Shahbakhsh, HRANA, Omar Shahbakhsh, Yazd, Yazd Prison, Zahedan

HRANA – Yesterday, June 17, 2026, the death sentences of eight prisoners convicted on non-political charges were carried out in Yazd Prison.

According to Rasank, two of those executed have been identified as Omar Shahbakhsh, approximately 24 years old and a native of Zahedan, and Ghafour Shahbakhsh, approximately 25 years old, married and the father of one child, also from Zahedan.

The two prisoners had been arrested several years ago in Yazd in a joint case involving drug-related offenses and were subsequently sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court of the city.

Additionally, Haalvsh reported the execution of six other prisoners in the same prison on non-political charges. The report did not provide their identities or details regarding their cases.

As of the time of writing, the executions have not been officially announced by prison authorities or the relevant government institutions.

According to HRA’s Annual Report, in 2025 at least 2,063 citizens, including 61 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the sentences of 11 individuals were carried out in public. During the same period, 172 other individuals were sentenced to death.

Baha’i Citizen Ahmad Naeimi Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities
Ahmad Naeimi, Baha'i citizen, HRANA, Yazd, احمد نعیمی

HRANA – On Saturday, June 13, Ahmad Naeimi, a Baha’i resident of Yazd, was arrested after appearing before Branch 6 of the Investigation Office of the Yazd Prosecutor’s Office.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Naeimi was detained on June 13, after appearing before Branch 6 of the Investigation Office of the Yazd Prosecutor’s Office.

A source close to the family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Naeimi is facing a new legal case. In this case, he and his wife, Flora Samadani, are co-defendants. The Prosecutor’s Office also opposed his release on bail.”

Mr. Naeimi had previously been summoned to the Prosecutor’s Office to provide certain explanations. As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding his place of detention.

Ahmad Naeimi has previously faced arrest and judicial harassment due to his religious beliefs and faith. His wife, Flora Samadani, was arrested by security forces in Yazd on May 3, 2026, and transferred to Yazd Prison.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to more security and judicial persecution than any other religious minority. An examination of the annual reports published by HRA indicates that during the past calendar year, an average of 62.41% of all reported violations of the rights of religious minorities involved violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

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Baha’i Citizen Flora Samadani Arrested in Yazd

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News, Religious Minorities
Ahmad Naeimi, Baha'i citizen, Flora Samadani, HRANA, Yazd

HRANA – Flora Samadani, a Baha’i citizen, was arrested on Sunday, May 3, by security forces in Yazd. Three days after her arrest, there is still no precise information available regarding her fate.

According to HRANA, the continued detention and uncertainty surrounding Flora Samadani has now entered its third day. Based on information received by HRANA, this Baha’i citizen was detained by security forces in Yazd on Sunday, May 3, and no information about her condition or whereabouts has been made available since. The lack of information about her situation has increased concerns among her family.

As of the time of this report, no details have been obtained regarding the reasons for her arrest or the charges brought against her.

Flora Samadani is a Baha’i resident of Yazd and the wife of Ahmad Naeimi. Mr. Naeimi has previously been arrested and faced judicial actions due to his religious beliefs.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to more security and judicial pressures than any other religious minority. A review of annual reports by the Statistics, Publications, and Works Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran indicates that over the past year, an average of 62.41% of reports concerning religious minorities were related to violations of the rights of Baha’is.

Three Christian Citizens Arrested in Yazd

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News, Religious Minorities
HRANA, Iranian Christians, Yazd

HRANA – The prosecutor of Yazd announced the arrest of three Christian citizens in the province on charges described as “forming a house church group and promoting Christianity.”

According to Fars News Agency, the public and revolutionary prosecutor of Yazd Province referred to these individuals as “key members of a Christian proselytizing network” and stated that they were arrested by security forces.

Mehdi Hassanpour further claimed that these citizens “established connections with Christian missionary organizations and entities linked to Israel, and subsequently formed a group in the form of a house church. They encouraged several family members and friends, both in person and online, to convert to Christianity.” He also alleged that some individuals connected to the case had insulted religious sanctities and “prayed for Israel’s victory.”

The report does not provide further details, including the identities of those arrested or their place of detention.

These actions against Christian converts in Iran occur despite Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both of which affirm every individual’s right to freedom of religion, including the right to change one’s religion and to express it individually or collectively, publicly or privately.

Graduate Student Arman Hajmohammadi Arrested in Yazd

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Arman Hajmohammadi, HRANA, Yazd, آرمان حاج محمدی

HRANA – Arman Hajmohammadi, a master’s student in civil engineering at Sharif University of Technology, has been arrested in recent days by security forces in Yazd. There is still no information about his whereabouts.

According to  Amir Kabir Newsletter, the student was detained in recent days at his residence in Yazd by security forces. Despite the passage of time, no information has yet been obtained regarding his place of detention.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained about the reasons for his arrest or the charges brought against him.

Arman Hajmohammadi is a master’s student in civil engineering at Sharif University of Technology.

It should be noted that military attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran began on February 28, 2026. Since the start of these attacks, HRANA has been documenting and recording related events across various parts of the country on a daily basis. For more information, you can refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the twenty-eighth day of these conflicts, which was published last night.

Six Citizens Arrested in Yazd for Using Starlink Equipment

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Freedom of Expression, News
Starlink, Yazd

HRANA – Domestic media have reported the arrest of six citizens in Yazd over what has been described as “using Starlink equipment and sending news to foreign media outlets.” Additionally, 61 bank accounts linked to these individuals have been frozen.

According to Mehr, Ahmad Negahban, the commander of the Law Enforcement Forces in Yazd Province, stated that these individuals were detained for “using Starlink equipment.”

He added that during inspections by law enforcement forces, six Starlink devices were discovered and confiscated from these citizens. Furthermore, 61 bank accounts belonging to them have been blocked.

According to Negahban, the arrested individuals were “sending news and information to foreign media and selling internet services.”

The report does not provide further details, including the identities of the detainees or their place of detention.

It is worth noting that U.S. and Israeli military attacks on Iran began on February 28, 2026 . Since the start of these attacks, HRANA has been documenting and recording related developments across the country on a daily basis. For more information, readers can refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the 26th day of the conflict, published last night.

At Least 71 Citizens Arrested in Various Cities

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hormozgan, Jam, Razavi Khorasan, Shahrud, Yazd

HRANA – Amid ongoing military clashes and an increasingly securitized climate across the country, domestic media have reported the arrest of 71 citizens in various parts of Iran, including Shahrud, Yazd, Jam, and the provinces of Hormozgan and Razavi Khorasan. Authorities have accused them of “espionage” and providing information to foreign media outlets.

At the same time, a video purportedly showing the forced confession of one of the detainees has been circulated, though the circumstances under which it was recorded remain unclear. Separately, the police commander of Yazd Province announced that 59 websites and individuals involved in selling VPN services have been identified.

According to Hamshahri Newspaper, two citizens were arrested in Shahrud. The police commander of Semnan Province claimed in this regard that these individuals had been collecting information as part of targeted activities and providing it to foreign networks and media outlets. During their arrest, several prohibited items as well as communication and technical equipment were reportedly discovered and confiscated.

Meanwhile, the Tasnim news agency reported the arrest of another citizen in connection with the same allegations in Yazd. At the same time, a video of this citizen’s forced confession was released, though the conditions under which it was recorded remain unknown.

Another report by Tasnim states that 55 citizens in Hormozgan Province were arrested in connection with what authorities described as “cooperation with foreign countries.”

The Fars news agency also reported the arrest of 10 individuals in Razavi Khorasan Province, claiming that four of them had been gathering information and the locations of sensitive sites and economic infrastructure for espionage purposes. It also alleged that a three-person cell among those arrested had been planning field operations “under the guidance of a liaison from a monarchist group and with organized financial and media support.”

Additionally, three citizens in Jam County were arrested for what authorities described as “sending images of bombing sites to foreign media outlets.”

Furthermore, according to Mehr, the police commander of Yazd Province announced that “59 websites and individuals selling VPN services have been identified.” The report did not provide information regarding judicial or security actions taken against them.

These reports did not disclose the identities of those arrested or the locations where they are being held.

Since February 28, Iranian territory has been targeted by military attacks by Israel and the United States. For more information, readers can refer to HRANA’s report on the seventeenth day after the start of these attacks, which was published last night.