HRANA, October 13, 2020. –
On October 12, Arzu Mohammadi (آرزو محمدی) and Banafsheh Mokhtaari (بنفشه مختاری) reported to Birjand prison to begin serving their sentences. Both were sentenced to two years in prison by a revolutionary court. This was reduced to 18 and 15 months, respectively, by the Review Court for Khorasan Province, headed by Judge Ibrahim Ramezani ( قاضی ابراهیم رمضانی), with Counsellor Hamid Arabzaadeh (مستشاری حمید عرب زاده). See the previous report here.
HRANA, October 8, 2020. –
Farid Ziragi-Moqadam (زیرگی مقدم), a Bahai from Birjand, has been summoned to begin serving his 5-year prison sentence. He must report within ten days. The Provincial Review Court confirmed his sentence on September 20.
Update: He began his sentence on October 19.
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
HRANA, September 28, 2020. –
Eight Bahais from Birjand have been given ten days to report to prison to begin serving their sentences. They are Atieh Saalehi (عطیه صالحی), Nasrin Qadiri (نسرین قدیری), Banafsheh Mokhtaari (بنفشه مختاری), Farzaaneh Dimi (فرزانه دیمی), Arzu Mohammadi (آرزو محمدی), `Ataa’ollah Maaleki (عطاالله ملاکی), Sa’id Maaleki (سعید ملاکی) and Ru’ya Maaleki (رویا ملاکی).
On September 7, 2020, the Review Court for Khorasan Province, headed by Judge Ibrahim Ramezani ( قاضی ابراهیم رمضانی), with Counsellor Hamid Arabzaadeh (مستشاری حمید عرب زاده), sentenced Mrs. Nasrin Qadiri, Farzaaneh Dimi and Banafsheh Mokhtaari to 15 months in prison for “membership in the illegal and subversive organization of the deviant Bahai sect.” Mrs. Arzu Mohammadi, Ru`ya Maaleki and Atieh Saalehi, and Mr. Ataa’ollah Maaleki and Sa’id Maaleki were given 18-month sentences on the same charge. The same court acquitted Rahmat’ollah Dimi (رحمت الله دیمی) of this charge. The Review Court also handed down one-year concurrent sentences for “propaganda in favor of the Baha’i organization, that being a group and organization opposed to the holy order of the Islamic Republic.”
He Who is the Spirit (Jesus) — may peace be upon Him — was asked: “O Spirit of God! Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?” And He made reply: “Yea, render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” He forbade it not.
~ Baha’u’llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, tr. Shoghi Effendi.
There is in fact no Bahai organisation in Iran, as it was disbanded after the 1979 Revolution, but the Islamic Republic is a theocratic state, while the Bahai teachings endorse the principle of “render unto Caesar.” Nevertheless, the Bahais in Iran do not engage in political or subversive activities against the theocratic order, because in their understanding, “render unto Caesar” makes obedience to government a religious duty.
These nine Bahais are among those whose homes were raided in October 2017 in connection with the birth of Baha’u’llah 200 years previously. From the large number of homes in Birjand that were raided at that time, it appears that the Bahais had not gathered to celebrate the day, but were remembering the occasion separately in their homes. They were summoned for interrogation twice in 2019-2020 (سال ۹۸), and tried on April 20 this year.
Mrs. Nasrin Qadiri is not formally a resident of Birjand. She is 60 years old and lives in Mashhad. However from 2014 to early 2018 she often stayed in Birjand to care for her father, who was ill. When the Bahai homes in Birjand were searched in October 2017, she was in Mashhad, but the security agents seized some of her belongings when they searched her father’s house. She was previously imprisoned in 1983 and 2010. In the latter case, she was sentenced to two years in prison, on charges of propaganda against the regime, endangering national security, membership and activity in the Bahai Faith, advocating contact with foreigners after traveling outside the country, participating in illegal organisations, and producing and distributing Bahai CDs and books.
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
HRANA, September 20, 2020. –
The review court for South Khorosan Province has confirmed the 5-year sentence of Farid Ziragi-Moqadam (زیرگی مقدم), a Bahai from Birjand. The presiding judge was Ibrahim Ramezaani (قاضی ابراهیم رمضانی), with Counsellor Hamid `Arab-zadeh (مستشاری حمید عرب زاده ). A Revolutionary Court had already sentenced him to five years in prison on a charge of “membership of the illegal Bahai organisation”, with a one-year concurrent sentence for “propaganda against the regime of the Islamic Republic.” The review court acquitted him of the latter charge. The Court of Review based its sentence on his acting as moderator in a Telegram channel.
However a criminal court in Birjand has also sentenced him to one year in prison for “insulting the sanctities of Islam,” apparently for internet postings included Bahai interpretations of the Quran, the coming of the Mahdi, the “seal of the prophets” and other theological points. The review court has not yet spoken on that sentence.
Mr. Moqadam-Ziragi, whose name was initially reported as Farid Moqadam-Ziraki (فرید مقدم زیرکی), was arrested on August 3 by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence, who searched his home and seized his personal effects. At the time of his arrest, the accusation was “aggravating the economic sanctions against Iran” and “undermining national security.” These accusations were widely reported in the state-sponsored media. He was interrogated by the Ministry of Intelligence for 26 days before being transferred to Birjand’s Prison. The Ministry evidently failed to find evidence to support the economic and security charges. On September 7 he was released after posting bail of 150 million tumans (32,000 euros ; $US 35,000).
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
HRANA, August 19, 2020. –
A criminal court in Birjand has sentenced Farid Moqadam-Ziraki (فرید مقدم زیرکی), whose name is reported in this case as Farid Ziragi-Moqadam (زیرگی مقدم), to one year in prison. He was charged with “insulting the sanctities of Islam.” The judge was Mehdi Shiri Abbaasabaad (قاضی مهدی شیری عباس آباد). His judgement referenced internet postings, apparently referring to Telegram repostings that included Bahai interpretations of the Quran, the coming of the Mahdi, the “seal of the prophets” and other theological points.
Mr. Ziragi was notified of the new sentence on August 19. A Revolutionary Court has already sentenced him to five years in prison on a charge of “membership of the illegal Bahai organisation”, with a one-year concurrent sentence for “propaganda against the regime of the Islamic Republic.”
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
HRANA, June 21, 2020. –
A Revolutionary Court has sentenced Farid Moqadam-Ziraki (فرید مقدم زیرکی), whose name is also reported as Farid Ziragi-Moqadam (زیرگی مقدم), to five years in prison on a charge of “membership of the illegal Bahai organisation”, with a one-year concurrent sentence for “propaganda against the regime of the Islamic Republic.” (see Deutsche Welle for the breakdown of the six-year total sentence, omitted in the HRANA report). The court was headed by Judge Ja’far Islaam-Khwaah ( قاضی جعفر اسلام خواه). The defendant and his lawyer were barred from speaking or presenting a defence.
Mr. Moqadam-Ziraki was arrested on August 3 by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence, who searched his home and seized his personal effects. At the time of his arrest, the accusation was “aggravating the economic sanctions against Iran” and “undermining national security.” He was interrogated by the Ministry of Intelligence for 26 days before being transferred to Birjand’s Prison. The Ministry evidently failed to find evidence to support the economic and security charges. On September 7 he was released after posting bail of 150 million tumans (32,000 euros ; $US 35,000).
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
HRANA, June 10, 2020. –
Sohrab Maaleki (سهراب ملاکی), Khalil Maaleki (خلیل ملاکی), Maryam Mokhtari (مریم مختاری), Saagher Mohammadi (ساغر محمدی), Simim Mohammadi (سیمین محمدی) and Shaida `Aabadi (شیدا عابدی) have returned to prison in Birjand at the end of a furlough that began in late March or early April. Three others, Behman Saalehi (بهمن صالحی), Firouz Ahmadi (فیروز احمدی) and Bijan Ahmadi ( بیژن احمدی) have been granted another 15 days of furlough for health reasons. These nine Bahais were initially sentenced to five years on the charge of membership of the illegal and subversive Bahai organisation, by a Revolutionary Court. The sentences were reduced by the Provincial Review Court to four years for Behman Saalahi, Khalil Malaaki, Bizhan Ahmadi, and Saagher Mohammadi; three years for Shayda Abedi, two years for Firuz Ahmadi, Simin Mohammadi and Maryam Mokhtaari, and three and a half years for Sohrab Maaleki.
Eight of the defendants were arrested in raids of 15 Bahai homes on the morning of October 21, 2017, but Shayda Abedi was arrested in Birjand on October 29. They were freed on bail individually, from November 18 to November 24. Although the nine Bahais were arrested on a Bahai Holy day (marking the Birth of the Bab), from the fact that so many homes were raided it appears that the Bahais had not gathered to celebrate the day, but were remembering the occasion separately in their homes.
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
HRANA, April 23, 2020. –
Nine Bahais whose homes were raided in October 2017 in connection with the birth of Baha’u’llah 200 years previously have been given long sentences by Judge Hojjat Nabavi (قاضی حجت نبوی), in a Revolutionary Court in Birjand. Atieh Saalehi (عطیه صالحی), `Ataa’ollah Maaleki (عطاالله ملاکی), Farzaaneh Dimi (فرزانه دیمی), Nasrin Qadiri (نسرین قدیری), Banafsheh Mokhtaari (بنفشه مختاری), Arzo Mohammadi (آرزو محمدی), Sa’id Maaleki (سعید ملاکی) and Ru’ya Maaleki (رویا ملاکی) were sentenced to six years in prison, while Rahmat’ollah Dimi (رحمت الله دیمی), in view of his advanced age, was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison. The charges were “membership of the misguided Bahai sect, which is an illegal organisation undermining national security,” as well as “propaganda on behalf of the Bahai organisation, a group and enterprise opposed to the sanctified regime of the Islamic Republic.”
Around the time of the bicentennial of the birth of Baha’u’llah, Bahais were arrested and Bahai-run businesses were sealed in many places across Iran. The houses of these Bahais in Birjand were searched and some of their belongings were seized, but they were not arrested, and their names were therefore not previously reported on Sen’s Daily. They were summoned for interrogation twice in 2019-2020 (سال ۹۸), and tried on April 20. They were informed of their sentences next day, and the information was published on a web site on April 22.
Mrs. Nasrin Qadiri is not a resident of Birjand. She is 60 years old and lives in Mashhad. However from 2014 to early 2018 she often stayed in Birjand to care for her father, who was ill. When the Bahai homes in Birjand were searched in October 2017, she was in Mashhad, but the security agents seized some of her belongings when they searched her father’s house. She was previously imprisoned in 1983 and 2010. In the latter case, she was sentenced to two years in prison, on charges of propaganda against the regime, endangering national security, membership and activity in the Bahai Faith, advocating contact with foreigners after traveling outside the country, participating in illegal organisations, and producing and distributing Bahai CDs and books.
A report on the previous group of nine Bahais sentenced in Birjand is on Sen’s Daily here.
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
HRANA, January 16, 2020. –
On January 15, nine Bahais whose arrest and sentencing was reported previously began their sentences, ranging from two to four years, in Birjand Prison.
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
HRANA, December 24, 2019. –
The Review Court for South Khorasan Province has reduced the long sentences handed down by a Revolutionary Court to nine Bahais. Behman Saalahi (بهمن صالحی), Khalil Malaaki (خلیل ملاکی), Bizhan Ahmadi (بیژن احمدی) and Saagher Mohammadi (ساغر محمدی) have been sentenced to four years in prison. Shayda Abedi (شیدا عابدی) has a three-year sentence. Firuz Ahmadi (فیروز احمدی), Simin Mohammadi (سیمین محمدی) and Maryam Mokhtaari ( مریم مختاری) have been sentenced to two years in prison. The ninth person in this report is Sohrab Malaaki (سهراب ملاکی), sentenced to three and a half years in prison. But in HRANA’s previous report on July 8 this year, the ninth person was Rafa’at Taalebi-fard (رفعت طالبی فرد). There is no explanation of why the name of the ninth person has changed.
The Revolutionary Court had sentenced all nine to five years on the charge of membership of the illegal and subversive Bahai organisation, and one year on a charge of propaganda against the regime in the form of teaching the Bahai Faith. The sentences are concurrent. The Revolutionary Court also ordered the confiscation of donations they had collected [from Bahais] during the 19th-day Feast for the affairs of the Bahai community in Birjand. The Review Court confirmed this confiscation.
Eight of the defendants were arrested in raids of 15 Bahai homes on the morning of October 21, 2017, but Shayda Abedi was arrested in Birjand on October 29. They were freed on bail individually, from November 18 to November 24. Although the nine Bahais were arrested on a Bahai Holy day (marking the Birth of the Bab), from the fact that so many homes were raided it appears that the Bahais had not gathered to celebrate the day, but were remembering the occasion separately in their homes.
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
Campaign for prisoners of conscience, September 9, 2019. –
On September 7, Farid Moqadam-Ziraki (فرید مقدم زیرکی), a Bahai from Birjand, was released from detention after posting bail of 150 million tumans (32,000 euros ; $US 35,000). He was arrested on August 3 by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence, who searched his home and seized his personal effects. He faces charges of “aggravating the economic sanctions against Iran” and “undermining national security.” He was interrogated by the Ministry of Intelligence for 26 days before being transferred to Birjand’s Prison.
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
HRANA, August 11, 2019. –
On August 3, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence in Birjand arrested Farid Moqadam-Ziraki (فرید مقدم زیرکی). The Provincial command of the Ministry of Intelligence in South Khorasan Province, had previously announced the arrest of an unnamed Bahai in Birjand, who was said to be working to tighten sanctions. Mr. Moqadam-Ziraki has been able to contact this family once since he was arrested. He was previously summoned and questioned by the Ministry of Intelligence twice, in 2017 and 2018.
As previously reported, Ruhollah Zibaa’i ( روح الله زيبايي ), a Bahai resident of Baghestan, was arrested by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence on the same day, August 3, and government-sponsored media claimed that this too was in relation to a scheme to tighten the economic sanctions.
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
HRANA, July 8, 2019. –
The Birjand Revolutionary Court has sentenced nine Bahais to six years in prison, and has seized the donations they had collected [from Bahais] for the affairs of the Bahai community in Birjand. They were sentenced to five years on the charge of membership of the illegal and subversive Bahai organisation, and one year on a charge of propaganda against the regime in the form of teaching the Bahai Faith. The sentences are concurrent.
The trial was held on July 3, without a defence lawyer. Only state-approved lawyers may present a defence in trials on national security matters in Iran, and their lawyer, Mazdak E`tamaad (مزدک اعتماد زاده) was not approved. Eight of the defendants were arrested in raids of 15 Bahai homes on the morning of October 21, 2017, but Shayda Abedi (شیدا عابدی) was arrested in Birjand on October 29. Although the nine Bahais were arrested on a Bahai Holy day (marking the Birth of the Bab), from the fact that so many homes were raided it appears that the Bahais had not gathered to celebrate the day, but were remembering the occasion separately in their homes.
The eight Bahais arrested on October 21 are: Firuz Ahmadi (فیروز احمدی), Khalil Malaaki (خلیل ملاکی), Simin Mohammadi (سیمین محمدی), Bizhan Ahmadi (بیژن احمدی), Maryam Mokhtaari ( مریم مختاری), Saagher Mohammadi (ساغر محمدی), Rafa’at Talebi-fard (رفعت طالبی فرد) and Behman Saalahi (بهمن صالحی).
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
Iran Press Watch, January 15, 2019. –
On the morning of Saturday, January 5, 2019, the business of Farshid Dimi (فرشید دیمی), a Bahai from Birjand, was sealed by order of judiciary officials. A source close to Mr. Dimi told HRANA, “Farshid Dimi’s store, where he sells computer accessories, has been in business for 20 years. Mr. Dimi’s business license renewal was denied by by authorities, who provided no specific reason. Mr. Dimi has paid his union dues [i.e., to the government-mandated industrial sector organisation] and his taxes throughout his years of operation. His business has been sealed by order of the judicial officials, and so far the only response from that body has been that the order has been issued by the high officials and nothing can be done by us.”
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
HRANA, November 23, 2017.
As previously reported, Bahnam Salehi (بهمن صالحی), one of the Bahais arrested in Birjand on October 21, was released on bail on November 18. It is now reported that on his release he was immediately hospitalized because of broken blood vessels and blood clotting in his legs, resulting from poor conditions during his interrogation. He was still in hospital at the time of the report (November 23), and his condition was satisfactory. He suffers from varicose veins, and was interrogated for long hours while held in postures inappropriate for a person with this condition. He received no medical care in prison, despite his deteriorating condition.
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
HRANA, November 20, 2017.
Four more recent Bahai detainees have been freed on bail in Birjand. They are Sohrab Malaki (سهراب ملاكی), Sheyda `Abadi (شيدا عابدی), Maryam Mokhtari (مريم مختاری) and Simin Mohammadi (سيمين محمدی ). Bail was set at 50 million tumans (36,000 euros ; $US 42,000).
Khalil Malaki (خليل ملاكی), Bahnam Salehi (بهمن صالحی) and Saghir Mohammadi (ساغر محمدی) were released on bail a few days earlier. Firooz Ahmadi (فيروز احمدی) and Bijan Ahmadi (بيژن احمدی), arrested at the same time, remain in detention.
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
HRANA, November 18, 2017.
Khalil Malaki (خليل ملاكی), Bahnam Salehi (بهمن صالحی) and Saghir Mohammadi (ساغر محمدی) have been released on bail of 150 million tumans (36,000 euros ; $US 42,000). They were among nine Bahais who were arrested in raids of 15 Bahai homes on the morning of October 21. During the searches, officials seized mobile phones, laptops, and images and books relating to the Bahai Faith. Another Bahai, Shayda Abedi (شیدا عابدی), was arrested in Birjand on October 29.
Although the nine Bahais were arrested on a Bahai Holy day (marking the Birth of the Bab), it appears from the fact that many homes were raided that the Bahais had not gathered to celebrate the day, but were remembering the occasion separately in their homes.
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
Iran Press Watch, October 31, 2017.
On October 29, at 7:00 a.m., Shayda Abedi (شیدا عابدی), a 26-year-old Bahai residing in Birjand in Iran’s Southern Khorasan Province, was arrested by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence. So far, the reason for her arrest and where she has been transferred has not been communicated to her family. Following her arrest, authorities also searched her home.
Short link: https://wp.me/pNMoJ-2ZN
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
Payam News, October 22, 2017.
On the morning of October 21, security forces raided 15 Bahai homes in Birjand and arrested nine Bahai. Those arrested were Bahnam Salehi (بهمن صالحی), Khalil Malaki (خليل ملاكی), Sohrab Malaki (سهراب ملاكی), Saghir Mohammadi (ساغر محمدی), Simin Mohammadi (سيمين محمدی ), Maryam Mokhtari (مريم مختاری), Bijan Ahmadi (بيژن احمدی), Firooz Ahmadi (فيروز احمدی) and Sheyda `Abadi (شيدا عابدی) (aged 26). During the searches, officials seized mobile phones, laptops, and images and books relating to the Bahai Faith.
Short link: http://wp.me/pNMoJ-2Zf
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
Payam News (Persian, facebook), 11 September 2017.
A Bahai-run business in Birjand has been allowed to reopen, nine months and 3 days after it was closed by the Bureau of Public Places. The technical systems shop belonging to Mr. ‘Ali Zamani (علی زمانی) was sealed by the authorities on December 6, 2016 because he is a Bahai, and closed his shop to observe the Bahai Holy Days. The authorities revoked the business licence before closing it down. The business was allowed to reopen on September 4.
Short link: http://wp.me/pNMoJ-2XW
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
Bahai News (Persian), December 28, 2016.
Farinarz Mokhtari (فریناز مختاری) was expelled from the Birjand Women’s Technical Institute on December 26 because of her Bahai beliefs. She was contacted on December 25, and told to report to the Chancellor to receive documents relating to a letter from the Department of Education. Next day, she reported to the Chancellor’s office, and was told she had been barred from tertiary education. In the current academic year, at least 129 Bahai students who have passed the University Entrance examination have been barred from tertiary institutions because of the religious beliefs.
Short link: http://wp.me/pNMoJ-2MQ
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
HRANA, April 10, 2014
Mazyar Malaki (مازیار ملاکی), a student studying machine manufacturing at Birjand University, has been expelled because of his Bahai beliefs. He was summoned by the University’s security office and asked to sign a statement that he would not participate in Bahai activities or follow the directions of the Universal House of Justice. When he refused to sign this, he was told that he was barred from the university until further notice, and that the final decision would be communicated to him.
Short link: http://wp.me/pNMoJ-1YB
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
Radio Yekjahan (facebook report), February 12
The condition of ‘Azam Ma’udi (اعظم مودی) is reported to have improved, and she is expected to be discharged from hospital tomorrow. She was stabbed, along with her parents, in an attack on her parents’ home in Birjand on February 3. Her parents were discharged from hospital today, and are in good health.
Update, February 18:
In a facebook posting,Azam Ma’udi expresses her thanks for the support and prayers of the friends. By all appearances, they are now in good health.
Short link: http://wp.me/pNMoJ-1WN
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
Radio Yakjahan (facebook report), February 11, 2014
‘Azam Mavadi (اعظم مودی), who was stabbed in the chest during an apparently religiously-motivated attack on her parents’ home in Birjand on February 3, is reported to be in a serious condition. Prayers are requested.
Short link: http://wp.me/pNMoJ-1WE
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
HRANA, February 5, 2014
In Birjand, a provincial capital close to Iran’s border with Afghanistan, a masked individual has entered the home of a Bahai family and brutally stabbed three of them. The attack occurred on February 3. Mr. Qodratullah Mu’adda (قدرت الله مودی) was stabbed in the abdomen and side, Mrs. Tubi Mu’adda (طوبی مودی) in the neck, close to the jugular vein, and ‘Azam Mu’adda (اعظم مودی) was stabbed in the chest. The assailant left the house without making any attempt to steal anything. Mr. and Mrs. Mu’adda are a middle-aged couple, living alone. Their daughter, who lives in Tehran, had arrived that morning on a visit.
Update, February 7: The Bahai World News Service states that the family name is pronounced Mavadi rather than Mu’adda (the two words are spelt in the same in Persian), and that all three are in intensive care in hospital. Mr. Mavadi is a leading figure in the Bahai community in Birjand, and the BWNS concludes that this was religiously-inspired hate crime. ““The sad fact is that there have been more than 50 physical assaults on Iranian Baha’is since 2005 – and none of the attackers has been prosecuted or otherwise brought to justice. And at least nine Baha’is have been murdered under suspicious circumstances in the same period, and the murderers have likewise enjoyed impunity.”
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Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
HRANA, April 28
Muhammad Hussein Nakh`i ( محمد حسین نخعی ) and Golrokh Firuzeyan ( گلرخ فیروزیان ) have been released, from Birjand and Semnan prisons, respectively. Mr. Nakh`i, who is 87 years old, lives in the village of Khusef, near Birjand. He was Iran’s oldest prisoner of conscience. He was detained on May 14, 2012, and sentenced to one year in prison, a fine of 6 million rials (360 euros; 500 US dollars), and a five-year suspended sentence, on charges of propaganda against the regime in the form of teaching the Bahai Faith, and membership of the Bahai community. He has completed the one year in prison.
Golrokh Firuzeyan was arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence in Semnan on March 12, and released on bail on Spril 25. Bail was set at 100 million tumans (62,000 euros, $US 81,000).
Short link: http://wp.me/pNMoJ-1Hv
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
HRANA, January 5
85-year-old Muhammad Hussein Nakha`i ( محمد حسین نخعی ), who has been detained since May 14, 2012, has been denied the right to use the telphone and receive visits in prison, for no apparent reason. He was arrested in the small town of Khusf, and is imprisoned in Birjand, a provincial capital close to the Afghan border. Although he requires constant medical care due to his age, and his relatives live in Tehran, family visits and telephone calls have not been allowed for some time. He has been found guilty of propaganda against the regime in the form of teaching the Bahai Faith, and membership of the Bahai community, and sentenced to three years in prison and three years suspended imprisonment, and this sentence has been confirmed by the review court.
Update, January 11. HRANA reports that the ban on telephone calls and visits has been lifted, but prison officials are still not taking his advanced age into account, and he suffers rude and disrespectful behaviour.
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Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
HRANA, November 28
On November 5, a car parts shop belonging to Mrs. Bahreh Malaki ( باهره ملاکی ), a Bahai in Birjand, was shut and its operating license has been revoked. The owner was told in a letter that no license would be given, because of “membership in the wayward Bahai sect.” She was allowed 10 days to close down the business. In the previous year, Mrs. Malaki was also refused a permit, and she was told that as a woman she was not allowed to sell car parts. A few months ago, Saghri Mahjureh ( صغری مهجوره ), another woman operating a car parts shop, was told that as a woman she was not allowed to sell car parts, and she too was forced to close her business.
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Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
HRANA, October 15
Muhammad Hussein Nakh`i ( محمد حسین نخعی ), an 85-year-old Bahai from the village of Khusf in Birjand County, South Khorasan Province, has been sentenced to 3 years in prison. He has been detained in Birjan prison for five months, on charges of propaganda against the regime and membership of the Bahai Community. He previously sent five years in prison in Gonbad, in the first decade after Iran’s 1979 revolution.
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Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
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