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25 Bahais sentenced to prison in Shiraz
HRANA, August 31, 2022. –
The Provincial Review Court for Shiraz has sentenced 25 Bahais there to prison terms. It handed down 5-year sentences to Yekta Fahandezh-Sa`adi (یکتا فهندژ سعدی), Laala Saalehi (لالا صالحی), Bahaareh Nowruzi (بهاره نوروزی), Rezvan Yazdani (رضوان یزدانی) and Mozhgaan Gholaampour (مژگان غلامپور).Their passports are revoked for two years — presumably after the completion of their sentences — during which time they are required to report daily to the Provincial office of the Ministry of Intelligence.
Five-year sentences and a two-year passport confiscation were also given to Nabil Tahdhib (نبیل تهذیب), Sahba Maslahi (صهبا مصلحی), Behnaam Azizpour (بهنام عزیزپور), Esma`il Rusta (اسماعیل روستا), Ramin Shirvaani (رامین شیروانی) and Sa`id Hassani (سعید حسنی). These five were also sentenced to internal exile in other provinces: Mr. Tahdhib to Izeh, in Khuzestan Province, Sahba Maslahi to Ferdows in South Khuzestan, Behnaam Azizpour to Dehdasht, Esma`il Rusta to Baft in Yazd Province, Ramin Shirvaani to Bagh-e Malek in Khuzestan, and Sa`id Hassani in Lordegan, in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, where they would be required to report daily to the Ministry of Intelligence.
Two-year sentences with two years’ passport confiscation and daily reporting for two years were given to Shadi Sadeq-Eqdam Sisan (سیسان شادی صادق اقدم), Parisa Rouhi-zaadegaan (پریسا روحی زادگان), Marjaan Gholampour (مرجان غلامپور), Ahdiyyeh Enayati (عهدیه عنایتی), Thamareh Ashnaa’i(ثمره آشنایی), Nasim Kaashaani-nezhad (نسیم کاشانی نژاد), Shamim Ekhlaqi (شمیم اخـلاقی), and Noushin Zanhari (نوشین زنهاری).
Another six Bahais were given the same two-year sentence plus internal exile. They are Mahyar Sefidi-Miandoab (مهیار سفیدی میانـدوآب), exiled to Lamerd in Fars Province; Varqa Kaviani (ورقا کاویانی), exiled to Kashmar in Khorasan; Sohba Farahbakhsh (صهبا فرحبخش), exiled to Semiram, Farzad Shaadmaan (فرزاد شادمان), exiled to Minab in Hormozgan; Farbod Shaadmaan (فربد شادمان), exiled to Firuzabad in Fars Province, and Soroush Eqaani Saghaadi (سـروش ایقانی صـغادی), exiled to Mehriz in Yazd Province.
Maryam Eslaami-Mahdiaabaadi (مریم اسلامی مهدی آبادی), mentioned in the judgement of the Revolutionary Court, does not appear in the sentence of the Review Court.
The accusations against these Bahais were along the lines of “holding meetings for preaching and education that Muslims attended, and promoting Bahai beliefs.” The ruling said that the activities of these Bahais were “entirely organizational and for the proclamation of beliefs, and in line with the goals and documents of the House of Justice based in Israel, and do not fall under the [presumably exempt] heading of the personal (practice of religion) or having Bahai parents.” The court rejected the defendants’ defenses that their activities were not political, referring to Ayatollah Khomeini’s opinion that Bahais are “members of a political party.” Sahba Maslahi presented a statement for the Bahais, detailing the forced nature of their “confessions,” and the torture and religious and sexual insults they were subjected to. Mr. Maslahi himself was tortured for 75 days. He suffered blows to his stomach, a fractured femur and a dislocated jaw.
~~~~~~~~~Fourteen young Baha’is arrested in Qaemshahr
Iran Wire, September 2022. –
During the afternoon of 31 August, agents of the Ministry of Intelligence in Mazandaran province raided the home of a Bahai, Mojir Samimi, in Qaemshahr, and arrested eleven young Bahais from Qaemshahr, Sari and Babolsar during a religious study meeting. The Bahais were reading prayers and religious books.
Officers also arrested Afnaneh Nematian, Mojir’s mother, and transferred all twelve people to the Sari Intelligence Department.
“Officers went to the house of one of the detainees, named Bita Haqiqi, and searched this house without showing the warrant,” an informed source told IranWire. “And another group of security agents stormed the home of two other Bahais in Qaemshahr, Golban Fallah and Sanaz Hekmat Shaar, and searched their homes, without showing a warrant, and confiscated books and works related to the Bahai faith. Both of them were also arrested.”
The informed person further said that, after following up, families of the detainees found out that all fourteen were transferred to the detention center of the Sari Intelligence Department. Two of the families managed to meet with one of the people responsible for their children’s detention. The officer told them that if their children cooperated, they would be released, but that if they did not then they would continue to be detained.
The names of the fourteen arrested Bahais are Afnaneh Nematian, Mojir Samimi, Samia Qolinejad, Basir Samimi, Mehsa Fathi, Negar Darabi, Hengeme Alipour, Mani Qolinejad, Nazanin Goli, Sam Samimi, Sanaz Hikmat Shaar, Bita Haghighi and Anis Sanai.
افنانه نعمتیان- مجیر صمیمی- سامیه قلی نژاد- بصیر صمیمی- مهسا فتحی- نگار دارابی- هنگامه علیپور- مانی قلی نژاد- نازنین گلی- سام صمیمی- ساناز حکمت شعار- بیتا حقیقی- انیس سنایی- گلبن فلاح~~~~~~~~~
Bahiyyeh Manavipour bailed in Shiraz
HRANA, August 2022. –
Bahiyyeh Manavipour (بهیه معنوی‌پور) has been released on bail. She is one of five young Bahais arrested by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence on July 19. They were taken to the Ministry of Intelligence’s “Facility 100” for interrogation. Their homes were searched at the time of their arrest. The charges against her are not yet known.
~~~~~~~~~60 Bahai students barred this year
HRANA, August 17, 2022. –
The “roll call” of Bahai students who have been barred from entering tertiary education after sitting this year’s university entrance examination has now reached 60. See the HRANA site for their names and the cities and regions they come from.HRANA site
~~~~~~~~~Home raid in Qazvin
HRANA, August 12, 2022.
On August 9, security agents raided the home of Gulriz Nouraani (گلریز نورانی) and Mehrzaad Zahraa’i (مهرزاد زهرایی), a Bahai couple living in Qazvin. They seized digital devices, books and works related to the Bahai Faith, a gold ring with religious motifs, and some of their personal pictures. Mr. Zahraa’i was not home, and the agents did not not have a female officer with them.
~~~~~~~~~More Bahai students barred than in previous years
HRANA, August 13, 2022. –
Thus far, 53 Bahai students in Iran are known to have been barred from tertiary education after sitting this year’s University Entrance examination. Last year, 18 excluded Bahai students were identified, and the year before that it was 21.
~~~~~~~~~Mithaaq Manavipour bailed in Shiraz
HRANA, August 11, 2022. –
Mithaaq Manavipour (میثاق معنوی‌پور), who was arrested on July 19, has been released on bail from the Ministry of Intelligence’s “Facility 100” in Shiraz.
~~~~~~~~~Behnaam Momtaazi bailed in Qazvin
HRANA, August 11, 2022. –
Behnaam Momtaazi (بهنام ممتازی), a Bahai from Qazvin, was released on bail on August 11. He was arrested on July 31, but his arrest was not previously reported on Sen’s Daily. Bail was set at 250 million tumans ($US 59,000 ; 57,000 euros).
~~~~~~~~~Hanaan Haashemi pressured for a “confession”
HRANA (EN), August 11, 2022. –
Hanaan Haashemi (حنان هاشمی), who was arrested in Shiraz on July 19 and is held by the Ministry of Intelligence, has informed her family in a telephone call that she is under pressure from interrogators to make a forced confession. It is not known what she is supposed to confess to, or why she was arrested, apart from her Bahai beliefs. Interrogators have told her that her release from prison will only happen if she makes a confession as they instruct.
On July 19, 2022, security forces arrested her with four other Bahais: Nilufar Hosseini (نیلوفر حسینی), Bahiyyeh Manavipour (بهیه معنوی‌پور), Mithaaq Manavipour (میثاق معنوی‌پور) and Elhan Haashemi (الحان هاشمی). Nilufar Hosseini and Elhan Haashemi have been released on bail.
~~~~~~~~~46 Bahai students known to be barred from university this year
HRANA, August 10, 2022. –
As of today, 46 Bahai students who participated in the national University Entrance examinations this year have been barred from tertiary education using pretexts such as “incomplete file” on their academic records. Their names are:
سما میثاقیان ساکن رفسنجان
آرشام نیری ساکن کرمان
نشاط عبدلی ساکن اصفهان
کوروش کریمی نژاد، ارشیا پروین، آریا مصلح، روژین عاطفی، عهدیه نامجویان، تارا روزبهان و دیبا بهشاد ساکن اصفهان
شیوا امین ساکن شاهین شهر
مهسا فروهری، هانا موفقی و هیوا بدیعی ساکن کرج،
بهزاد براتی ساکن مشهد
آوا مشکین نفس، فارس حمدی حصاری، ملیکا ملّاکی ساکن بیرجند
بابک یکانی، عطاییه همتی و ژینوس همتی ساکن کرمان
پارسا روحانی و ساغر شهیدی ساکن کاشان
شمیم ایدلخانی و نسیم ایدلخانی ساکن اردبیل
مستعان اقدسی، منا امینی، هونام اسماعیلی، جمشید نورانی و همایون اسماعیلی ساکن تهران
ثمین شهریاری، ساکن کرج
شیدا ایشانی و نورا میرزائی ساکن فردیس کرج و کرمان
فروتن رحمانی، رها بارقی، بشیر نعیمی و رکسانا بابائیان ساکن شهرهای کرج، چابهار، کرمان و میاندوآب
شمیم خاکزاد در تهران
فائز مقدم در ارومیه
نوا ترابی در کرج
تارا بهبهانی و لوا حقیقی در فردیس کرج
بدیع روحانی، مهتا مغربین، رها گلشنی و پرند حسن زاده از اصفهان
~~~~~~~~~Haamed Farqaani Naamaqi summoned in Karaj
HRANA, August 9, 2022. –
Haamed Farqaani Naamaqi (حامد فرقانی نامقی), a Bahai living in Karaj, received a telephone call on August 9, summoning him to appear at the offices of the Ministry of Intelligence on August 10 at 8:00 am. I do not yet have an update on that.
~~~~~~~~~Nilufar Hosseini and Elhan Haashemi bailed in Shiraz
HRANA, August 9, 2022. –
In the past few days, Nilufar Hosseini (نیلوفر حسینی) and Elhan Haashemi (الحان هاشمی) were released on bail in Shiraz. Bail has been approved for Mithaaq Manavipour (میثاق معنوی‌پور), but he has not yet been released. Hanaan Haashemi (حنان هاشمی) and Bahiyyeh Manavipour (بهیه معنوی‌پور), remain in prison. These five young Bahais were arrested by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence on July 19, and taken to the Ministry’s “Facility 100” for interrogation. Their homes were searched at the time of their arrest.
~~~~~~~~~This year, 17 Bahai students barred from university so far
HRANA, August 6, 2022. –
Once again, Bahai students in Iran who have completed the national University Entrance examination are finding that, instead of receiving grades, they are informed that their “file is incomplete.” HRANA has thus far identified 17 Bahai students excluded because of their religion. They are Musta’aan Aqdasi (مستعان اقدسی), in Tehran; `Ahadiyeh Namjouyaan (عهدیه نامجویان) and Taara Rouzbahaan (تارا روزبهان), mother and daughter living in Isfahan; Shiva Amin (شیوا امین) in Shahin Shahr; Mahsa Forouhari (مهسا فروهری), Haana Movafaqi (هانا موفقی) and Hiva Badi`i (هیوا بدیعی) in Karaj; Behzaad Baraati (بهزاد براتی) in Mashhad; Faares Hamdi Hessaari (فارس حمدی حصاری) and Melika Mallaaki (ملیکا ملّاکی) in Birjand; Baabak Yekaani (بابک یکانی), `Ataaiyeh Hemmati (عطاییه همتی) and Dzinous Hemmati ( ژینوس همتی) in Kerman; Parsa Rouhaani (پارسا روحانی) and Saagher Shahidi (ساغر شهیدی) in Kashan; and Shamim Idelkhaani (شمیم ایدلخانی) and Nasim Idelkhaani (نسیم ایدلخانی), residents of Ardabil.
The pretext of “incomplete file” has been used to exclude Bahais from entering tertiary education in Iran since 2006.
~~~~~~~~~Bahai homes demolished in Roushankouh
Bahai News Service, August 2, 2022. –
As amny as 200 Iranian government and local agents have sealed off the village of Roushankouh, in Mazandaran province, where a large number of Bahais live, and are using heavy earthmoving equipment to demolish their homes.
Roads into and out of the village have been blocked.
Anyone who tried to challenge the agents was arrested and handcuffed.
Agents have confiscated the mobile devices of those present and prohibited filming.
Neighbors have been warned to stay in their homes and barred from filming or photographing.
Four homes that were under construction have already been destroyed.
The authorities are installing robust metal fences to restrict access of the Bahais to their own homes.The Bahais in Roushankouh have been targeted many times in the past with land confiscations and home demolitions. But this move follows weeks of intensifying persecution of the Bahais: over 100 have been either raided or arrested in recent weeks, in cities across Iran.
~~~~~~~~~Saha Thaabeti arrested in Sari, Bahai homes across Iran raided
HRANA, July 31, 2022. –
On July 31, the home of Saha Thaabeti-Rahmaani (سها ثابتی (رحمانی)) in Sari was raided by security agents, who seized some personal effects including her cell phone, and arrested her. It is not known where she is being detained. Other Bahai homes in Sari, belonging to Saanaaz `Alizaadeh (ساناز علیزاده), Thoraya Monuchehr-zaadeh-Mithaaqi (ثریا منوچهرزاده (میثاقی)) and Navid Mithaaqi (نوید میثاقی) were also raided. In Gonbad-e Kavus, the homes of Aazaadeh Yakini (آزاده یقینی) and Afsaaneh Tashakor (افسانه تشکر) were raided, and in Maahshahr, the home of Afnaaneh Ansaari (افنانه انصاری) was raided, and she was detained for a few hours. In Shiraz, the homes of Ehsaan Jaabri (احسان جابری) and Behaar Bengaleh (بهار بنگاله) were raided, and in Mashhad, the home of Farideh Hedaayati (فریده هدایتی). In Karaj, the home of Bita Mumtaazi-Saraaf (بیتا ممتازی (صراف)) and Puya Mumtaazi-Saraaf (پویا ممتازی (صراف)) was raided, and in Gorgan the homes of Shafaq Fahandezh (شفق فهندژ), Shakib Modi-Masumi (شکیب مودی (معصومی)), Afsun Modi-Masumi (افسون مودی (معصومی)), Shaqayeq Pourenayati (شقایق پورعنایتی) and Neda Taa`ifi (ندا طائفی) were raided.
~~~~~~~~~Two more home raids in Tehran, one more in Karaj
HRANA, July 31, 2022. –
The homes and work places of brother and sister Nima Haqaar (نیما حقار) and Nazila Haqaar (نازیلا حقار) in Tehran, and the home of Saabin Yazdaani (سابین یزدانی) in Karaj were raided by security agents on July 31. During the search of Ms. Yazdaani’s house, the agents seized all her digital devices and those of her family members. The agents also searched the work place of Nima and Nazila Haqaar.
~~~~~~~~~Two homes raided in Mashhad, one in Shiraz
HRANA, July 31, 2022. –
On July 31, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence raided the homes of Shaadi Khaaseh-zadeh (شادی خاصه زاد) and Hediyeh Ghiyabi (هدیه غیابی) in Mashhad, and the home of Raaheleh Kashaani (راحله کشانی) in Shiraz. Some personal effects and family belongings were seized. The agents in Mashhad had a search warrant. Mrs Khaaseh-zadeh was not at home at the time: her husband was told that she should report to the Ministry of Intelligence when she returns. The agents who searched Mrs. Kashani’s house seized personal effects and religious books, and said that she was not arrested because of her poor health. She has recently had surgery.
~~~~~~~~~Mahvash Sabet and Fariba Kamaalabadi arrested in Tehran
HRANA, July 31, 2022. –
Mahvash Sabet (مهوش ثابت) and Fariba Kamaalabaadi (فریبا کمال آبادی) were arrested in their homes in Tehran on July 31. They were among the seven Yaran (national facilitators for the Bahai community in Iran) who served 10-year sentences, following arrests in March 2008.
Background
The seven ‘Yaran’ served as national facilitators assisting the Bahais of Iran in their dealings with government organs until their arrest and imprisonment. They were appointed following the disappearance and execution of the elected leadership of the Bahais in Iran in 1980, and again in 1981. The elected leaders in many cities were also executed at that time, notably in Tehran, Tabriz, Yazd and Hamadan, where a total of 33 members of the local Bahai “Assemblies” were executed, in addition to the 18 members of two successive national “Assemblies” and two appointed “assistants.” In August 1983, the government declared the elected assemblies illegal. In accordance with the principle of obedience to government, the Bahais then dissolved all elected bodies. Nevertheless, seven former members of the national Assembly were arrested and executed.National and local facilitators were later appointed, principally because government bodies needed to have a Bahai representative to discuss necessary matters and to transmit government instructions to the Bahais, which were not publicised in the media. One of the most important tasks of the facilitators was to arrange for Bahai burials, as Bahais are often barred from burial in public cemeteries, and Bahai practice requires a coffin, which is not allowed in many public cemeteries in Iran.
On 5 March 2008, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet – a schoolteacher and mother of two – was arrested having been summoned to the Iranian city of Mashhad to discuss some matters regarding a Bahai burial. Two months later, on 14 May, the other six Yaran were arrested in raids of their homes. Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi was one of these, the others being Jamaloddin Khanjani (جمال الدین خانجانی), Afif Na`imi (عفیف نعیمی), who was re-arrested today in Karaj, Sa`id Reza’i (سعید رضایی), Behrouz Tavakkoli (بهروز توکلی), and Vahid Tizfahm (وحید تیزفهم).
After twenty months in prison without charge, a trial began on January 12, 2010, under Judge Moqayesseh (قاضی مقیسه, also spelled محمد مقیسه‌ای). Throughout their long wait for justice, the seven had received barely one hour’s access to their legal counsel, and suffered appalling treatment and deprivations, including psychological and physical hardship. They were charged with spying for Israel, propaganda against the Islamic Republic, and the establishment of an illegal administration – charges that were all rejected completely and categorically by the defendants. According to the defence lawyer, the charge of spying for Israel was based only on the fact that the Bahai properties in Israel are tax exempt. However Bahai properties are tax exempt in almost every country, and Islamic holy sites in Israel are also tax exempt! The trial of the seven accused ended on 14 June 2010 after six brief sessions, characterized by a lack of due legal process.
The initial sentence of 20 years imprisonment for each of the defendants met with outrage and condemnation throughout the world. One month later, the appeal court revoked three of the charges, including that of spying for Israel, and reduced their sentence to 10-year jail terms. In March 2011, the prisoners were informed that their original 20-year sentences were reinstated. In November, 2015, the 20-year sentences were again reduced to ten years. Despite repeated requests, neither the prisoners nor their attorneys have ever received official copies of the original verdict or the ruling on appeal.
~~~~~~~~~`Afif Na’imi and Saamaan Ostavaar arrested in Karaj
HRANA, 31 July 2022. –
Following on today’s previous report from Karaj, that the homes of Kaamyaar Habibi (کامیار حبیبی), Saamaan Ostovaar (سامان استوار) and Mozaffar Nabili (مظفر نبیلی) were raided, HRANA now reports that `Afif Na’imi (عفیف نعیمی) and Saamaan Ostavaar were arrested, and that the homes of Nasir Heravi (نصیر هروی) and Saara Sha’baan (سارا شعبان) were raided and and some of their personal effects, including mobile phones, electronic devices, and printed material relating to the Bahai Faith were seized. Correcting the earlier report, it appears that only one workplace was searched and sealed: that of Kaamyaar Habibi. The home of `Afif Na’imi was raided in November 2020. In December 2018 he was released at the end of a ten-year prison sentence for his Bahai beliefs. He was the last of the seven Yaran (national facilitators for the Bahai community in Iran) to be released, although they all had 20-year sentences, because during his sentence he was granted two medical furloughs of several months, and had several periods of hospitalisation. He suffers serious heart problems, blood clots, lymph node problems and acute swelling of the throat.
~~~~~~~~~Three Bahai homes and businesses raided, in Karaj
HRANA, July 31, 2022. –
Security forces in Karaj raided the homes and business premises of Kaamyaar Habibi (کامیار حبیبی), Saamaan Ostovaar (سامان استوار) and Mozaffar Nabili (مظفر نبیلی) on July 31. The agents confiscated some of their personal effects, including mobile phones, electronic devices, and printed materials relating to the Bahai Faith. Kaamyaar Habibi and Saamaan Ostovaar are musicians.
A Bahai named Saamaan Ostovaar was arrested in Kerman in 2011 and later charged with teaching the Bahai Faith through humanitarian activities (relating to the earthquake in Bam). However both names are relatively common in Iran.
~~~~~~~~~Three detained Baha’is bailed in Shiraz, five other detainees named
Iran Wire (English), July 27, 2022. –
Zhila Sharfi-Nasr-aabaadi (ژیلا شرفی نصرآبادی), Shaqaayeq Khaaneh-zaarin (شقایق خانه زرین) and Negaar Eqaani (نگار ایقانی), three Bahai women arrested in Shiraz on June 26, have been released after 31 days of temporary detention after posting bail of 800 million tumans each (185,000 euros). They were held at the Shiraz Intelligence Office detention center before being moved to Adel-Abad Prison where they developed Covid.
Five young Bahai detainees remaining in Shiraz detention centre are named in this report: Nilufar Hosseini (نیلوفر حسینی), Bahiyyeh Manavipour (بهیه معنوی‌پور), Mithaaq Manavipour (میثاق معنوی‌پور), Elhan Haashemi (الحان هاشمی) and Hanaan Haashemi (حنان هاشمی). Their arrest was not previously reported on Sen’s Daily. They were arrested on July 19, and their homes were searched.
~~~~~~~~~Three arrests in Yazd
HRANA, July 19, 2022. –
Nemat’ullah Shaadepour (نعمت الله شادپور), Nima Shaadepour (نیما شادپور) and Shafiq Eslami (شفیق اسلامی), Bahais living in Yazd, were summoned to a judicial office and arrested on July 19. Their home and business were then searched, and some of their personal effects were seized. It is not known where they are being detained.
~~~~~~~~~Haaleh Gholaami begins 2-year sentence in Evin Prison
HRANA, July 18, 2022. –
Haaleh Gholaami (هاله غلامی), a Bahai from Tehran, began her 2-year prison sentence on July 16. She was arrested on January 27, 2017, and freed on bail on March 6. She was arrested because of her activism in child protection matters, such as the care of orphans, and for participating in a charity working to suppress child labour. However the evidence against her included her membership of the Bahai Faith. At the time of her arrest her home was searched by security agents who confiscated her mobile phones and tablets. Following a trial in a Revolutionary Court on January 13, 2021, she was sentenced to two years, and this was confirmed by the Provincial Review Court.
~~~~~~~~~Three arrested in two home raids in Bojnurd
HRANA, July 14, 2021. –
Sho`leh Shahidi (شعله شهیدی) and her children Faaraan Sanaa`i (فاران ثنایی) and Shaayaan Sanaa`i (شایان ثنایی) were arrested when their home in Bojnurd was raided by security agents on July 13. The agents seized their religious books, laptops, and mobile phones. Another Bahai home in Bojnurd was also raided. There is no indication of which security agency made the arrests, where the family are being detained, or what the charges may be. In 2012, Houshmand Sana’i ( هوشمند ثنایی ) and Mrs Shahidi and their son Shaayaan were arrested and detained for a time by the Ministry of Intelligence in Bojnurd, and in June 2013 the family’s shop, selling health and beauty products, was shut by local body officials, on instructions from the Ministry of Intelligence.
~~~~~~~~~Fardin Qamsari begins a 1-year sentence in Tehran
HRANA, June 19, 2022. –
On June 18, Fardin Nadaafeyaan Qamsari (فردین ندافیان قمصری) was summoned to Evin Prison in Tehran to begin a one-year sentence. His arrest, in October 2019, and sentencing were not previously reported on Sen’s Daily. In October 2019, a Revolutionary Court headed by a notorious abuser of human rights, Judge Moqayeseh ( قاضی محمد مقیسه who was also responsible for the sentencing of the seven ‘Yaran’ (national facilitators for the Bahais in Iran) to long prison terms), sentenced him to one year in prison, with a deduction for days he was detained before the trial. This sentence was confirmed by the Provincial Review Court. He was charged with making images and sculptures relating to the Bahai Faith, and holding Bahai meetings.
~~~~~~~~~Three Bahais detained in Shiraz
HRANA, June 29, 2022. –
Zhila Sharfi-Nasr-aabaadi (ژیلا شرفی نصرآبادی), Shaqaayeq Haaneh-zaarin (شقایق خانه زرین) and Negaar Eqaani (نگار ایقانی) were arrested on June 26, and are still being detained. They were allowed a brief contact with their families, during which they said they were being detained at the Ministry of Intelligence “Facility 100” i.e., for interrogation. At the time of their arrest, their homes were searched by security agents and some personal effects, including electronic devices, were seized. Ms. Zaarin’s father suffered a heart attack during the house search, and has been hospitalized in Shiraz. Ms. Eqaani was barred from tertiary study three years ago, when her results from the Entrance Examination were disallowed on the pretext of “file incomplete.”
~~~~~~~~~Haayedeh Raam begins prison term in Shiraz
HRANA, June 19, 2022. –
On June 17, Haayedeh Raam (هایده رام) was taken to Adelabaad Prison in Shiraz to begin serving his ten-year sentence. He is charged with “acting against the security of the country by publishing and propagating the thoughts of the Baha’i sect.” Various personal effects relating to the Bahai religion were also ordered confiscated. Five of his fellow-defendants in this case have also been summoned and are expected to begin their sentences soon.
In May, 2021, a Revolutionary Court in Borazjan, the chief city of Dashtestan county, Bushehr Province, handed down 10-year sentences to Mr. Raam, along with Borhan Ismaa`ili (برهان اسماعیلی), Maryam Bashir (مریم بشیر), Faraanak Shaykhi (فرانک شیخی), Minu Bashir (مینو بشیر) and Darna Ismaa`ili (درنا اسماعیلی). The court findings cited the accused’s involvement with child education and membership of the counter-revolutionary web site, Facebook.
~~~~~~~~~Samin Ehsani begins 5-year sentence in Tehran
HRANA, June 15, 2022. –
Samin Ehsani ( ثمین احسانی ), a Bahai activist for children’s rights, was arrested on June 15 and taken to Evin Prison in Tehran to serve a 5-year sentence. Her sentence was announced on July 2, 2011 [sic] and was reported on this blog, but it has not been implemented in the past eleven years. She engaged in teaching and assisting Afghan children who had been excluded from education. She was charged with propaganda against the regime, acts against national security, and membership of the Bahai community.
~~~~~~~~~26 Bahais from Shiraz sentenced to prison and exile
HRANA, June 12, 2022. –
A Revolutionary Court in Shiraz has sentenced 26 Bahais to prison terms of up to 5 years, as well as internal exile, a ban on leaving Iran, and requirements to report daily to the Ministry of Intelligence. The trial, by the notorious Judge Sayyid Mahmud Saadaati (قاضی محمود ساداتی) was held on May 17, and the verdict issued on May 29.
Five-year sentences were given to Yekta Fahandezh-Sa`adi (یکتا فهندژ سعدی), Laala Saalehi (لالا صالحی), Bahaareh Nowruzi (بهاره نوروزی), Rezvan Yazdani (رضوان یزدانی) and Mozhgaan Gholaampour (مژگان غلامپور). Their passports are revoked for two years — presumably after the completion of their sentences — and they are required to report daily to the Provincial office of the Ministry of Intelligence.
Five-year sentences and a two-year passport confiscation were also given to Nabil Tadhhib (نبیل تذهیب , but previously reported as Nabil Tahdhib (نبیل تهذیب), Sahba Maslahi (صهبا مصلحی), Behnaam Azizpour (بهنام عزیزپور), Esma`il Rusta (اسماعیل روستا), Ramin Shirvaani (رامین شیروانی) and Sa`id Hassani (سعید حسنی). These five were also sentenced to internal exile in other provinces: Mr. Tadhhib to Izeh, in Khuzestan Province, Sahba Maslahi to Ferdows in South Khuzestan, Behnaam Azizpour to Behdasht in Kohgiluyeh, Esma`il Rusta to Baft in Yazd Province, Ramin Shirvaani to Bagh-e Malek in Khuzestan, and Sa`id Hassani in Lordegan, in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, where they would be required to report daily to the Ministry of Intelligence.
Two-year sentences with passport confiscation and daily reporting for two years were given to Maryam Eslaami-Mahdiaabaadi (مریم اسلامی مهدی آبادی), Parisa Rouhi-zaadegaan (پریسا روحی زادگان), Marjaan Gholampour (مرجان غلامپور), Shadi Sadeq-Eqdam (شادی صادق اقدم), Ahdiyyeh Enayati (عهدیه عنایتی), Thamareh Ashnaa’i(ثمره آشنایی), Nasim Kaashaani-nezhad (نسیم کاشانی نژاد), Sahba Farahbakhsh (صهبا فرحبخش), and Noushin Zanhari (نوشین زنهاری).
Another six Bahais were given the same two-year sentence plus internal exile. They are Mahyar Sefidi (مهیار سفیدی), exiled to Lamerd in Fars Province; Varqa Kaviani (ورقا کاویانی), exiled to Kashmar in Khorasan; Shamim Ekhlaqi (شمیم اخلاقی), exiled to Semirom in Isfahan Province; Farzad Shaadmaan (فرزاد شادمان), exiled to Minab in Hormozgan; Farbod Shaadmaan (فربد شادمان), previously named as Farid Shaadmaan (فرید شادمان), who is exiled to Firuzabad in Fars Province, and Soroush Eqaani (سروش ایقانی), exiled to Mehriz in Yazd Province. Shiraz itself is the capital of Fars Province, so all but two of these Bahais would be exiled to distant places, if the judgement is upheld.
The Provincial Review Court will review the sentences of the Revolutionary Court, and has in the past reduced the sentences given by Judge Mahmud Saadaati. That Judge is subject to US sanctions for his human rights abuses. He has specialized in sentencing Bahais to prison and internal exile for their Bahai beliefs, usually under the guise of “propaganda against the regime,” “membership of an illegal organisation,” or, as in this case, “collusion undermining state security” by going to city slums “under the pretext of investigating the water crisis and social ills and advocating for the environment,” and also “colluding to create intellectual and doctrinal insecurity through their deviant and dangerous thinking, particularly that Islam is superseded etc etc.. ”
A previous report on this blog gives more details of the arrest of these Bahais in 2016 and their previous trials.
~~~~~~~~~Bahai Cemetery in Tehran fenced off by authorities
HRANA, June 6, 2022. –
Authorities have installed a new wall and gate around the Bahai cemetery in Tehran that adjoins the Khavaran cemetery, where executed prisoners of conscience were buried following the 1979 Revolution. The gate is locked. This appears to relate to recent earthworks to create a new cemetery of Muslims on an adjoining site, and relocating the entrance to the Khavaran cemetery. Last year, the Bahais were informed that new burials would have to be made among the mass graves in the Khavaran cemetery.
~~~~~~~~~Sa`ideh Khasousi free on bail in Tehran
HRANA, May 24, 2022. –
Mrs. Sa`ideh Khasousi (سعیده خضوعی) was released from Evin Prison on bail of 2 billion tumans (44,000 euros ; $US 47,000) on May 24. She was arrested on April 11.
~~~~~~~~~Amin Dhulfaqaari begins 8-month sentence in Yazd
HRANA, May 24, 2022. –
Amin Dhulfaqaari (امین ذوالفقاری) began his prison sentence in Yazd on May 24. Amin Dhulfaqaari (امین ذوالفقاری) was arrested by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence on May 21, 2021 [but the HRANA report says 2020], and released on bail on June 23. He was accused of teaching the Bahai Faith. In July 2021 the Revolutionary Court in Yazd, presided over by Judge Reza Javad Musavi (قاضی رضا جواد موسوی) sentenced him, and three other Bahais, to two years and eight months in prison for membership of anti-regime groups, and to eight months in prison for propaganda against the regime. The Review Court rejected the charge of membership of anti-regime groups and reduced these sentences to eight months.
~~~~~~~~~Sa`ideh Khasousi’s interrogation ends after 40 days
HRANA, May 2022. –
After over 40 days’ detention by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Mrs. Sa`ideh Khasousi (سعیده خضوعی) has been transferred to Tehran’s Evin Prison. Her son Arsalaan Yazdaani (ارسلان یزدانی) reports that she will be released on bail. She was arrested on April 11 after responding to a summons to the court at Evin Prison in Tehran. On May 19 she was allowed a telephone call and told her family she was being (or had been?) transferred to the Revolutionary Guards’ interrogation centre “A1”. Her son Arsalaan was arrested on September 1, in a raid on the family home, and taken to Evin Prison. The agents also seized some personal effects. In another raid on September 30, agents seized more personal belongings, including Mrs. Khasousi’s new mobile phone. Arsalaan was released on bail on October 16 after 45 days in detention, however Mrs. Khasousi was summoned to Evin prison in late March, only to be told she should return on April 11, which she did.
~~~~~~~~~Sahba Farnoush begins 2-year sentence (reduced from 6 years)
HRANA, May 11, 2022. –
Sahba Farnoush (صهبا فرنوش) began serving his two-year sentence in Tehran’s Evin Prison on May 11. He was initially sentenced to 16 years, which was reduced to six years by the Review court for Tehran Province. This was appealed to the Supreme Court, which reduced the sentence to two years. His crime was celebrating the birthday of Baha’u’llah. Mr. Farnoush was arrested by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence on November 15, 2015. He was one of 20 Bahais arrested in Tehran, Isfahan and Mashhad on that day. Agents from the Ministry of Intelligence also closed down Bahai-run businesses in the Province of Mazandaran. It appears that the Ministry of Intelligence actions all related to Bahais commemorating the birth of Baha’u’llah.
~~~~~~~~Bahai cemetery vandalized in Hamadan>/h3>
HRANA, April 27, 2022. –In April, the building used for washing the bodies of the dead, at the Bahai Cemetery of Hamadan, was partly destroyed. The report does not indicate whether this was done by a government body or by anti-Bahai activists.
~~~~~~~~~Sa`ideh Khasousi arrested in Tehran
HRANA, April 11, 2022. –
On April 11, Mrs. Sa`ideh Khasousi (سعیده خضوعی) was arrested in Tehran after responding to a summons to the court at Evin Prison in Tehran. She is the mother Arsalaan XX, who was arrested on September 1, in a raid on the family home, and taken to Evin Prison. The agents also seized some personal effects. In another raid on September 30, agents seized more personal belongings, including Mrs. Khasousi’s new mobile phone. Arsalaan was released on bail on October 16 after 45 days in detention, however Mrs. Khasousi was summoned to Evin prison in late March, only to be told she should return on April 11, which she did.
~~~~~~~~~Shahnaaz Saabet resumes prison term in Shiraz
HRANA, March 2022. –
Shahnaaz Saabet (شهناز ثابت) resumed her two-year prison sentence in Shiraz on March 12. She was arrested and informed that the High Court hearing she had requested had confirmed her sentence. She was not present or represented at the “hearing.” She began her sentence on October 6, 2020. In May 2021 she was released pending the rehearing, so she has already served seven months. She suffers from a number of illnesses, including back pain and kidney stones.
Mrs. Saabet was arrested in her home in Shiraz on September 1, 2019. She was initially sentenced to six years in prison, by Judge Sayyid Mahmud Saadaati (قاضی سید محمود ساداتی), on charges of “propaganda against the regime and membership in anti-regime group.” This was reduced to two years by the Review Court.
~~~~~~~~~Shahram Najaf-Tumara’i goes to prison in Tehran
HRANA, March 13, 2022. –
Shahram Najaf-Tumara’i (شهرام نجف تومرائي), a Bahai who previously served as one of the Khadamin (area facilitators) for the Bahais in District 7 in Tehran, began serving a 2-year sentence on March 13. He was arrested on November 27, 2015 and released on bail on December 29. At the time, web sites linked to the regime have accused him of espionage. The actual pretext for his sentence is not reported.
~~~~~~~~~Sadiqeh Aqdasi, Behrouz Farzandi and Qaasem Ma`sumi begin prison sentences
HRANA, March 7, 2022.-
Sadiqeh Aqdasi (صدیقه اقدسی), Behrouz Farzandi Ardakaani (بهروز فرزندی اردکانی) and Qaasem Ma`sumi (قاسم معصومی), Bahais from Shiraz, were summoned to the Revolutionary Court on March 7 to answer some questions, but were instead arrested and taken to Adelabad prison to begin their prison sentences. In November 2021 a Revolutionary Court in Shiraz sentenced these three Bahais and `Aliyyeh Forutan (عالیه فروتن), Siyaamak Honavar (سیامک هنرور) and Sa`id Ettehaad (سعید اتحاد) to 31 months and 16 days on charges of membership of an anti-regime group and propaganda against the regime. The HRANA report says it was 39 months, but seven and a half months of this was the concurrent sentence for propaganda, so 31 and a half months is correct. The Provincial Review Court has reduced Mrs. Aqdasi’s sentence by transforming 25 months into a suspended sentence, so her prison sentence is now six and a half months. The Court confirmed the other sentences.
These six Bahais were arrested on April 5 and six during raids on their homes. During the raids, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence seized their personal effects such as books and electronic devices. Mr. Ardakaani and Sadiqeh Aqdasi were freed on bail on May 3, and the others in the following days or weeks — I have no precise dates.
~~~~~~~~~Saba Sefidi free on bail
HRANA, February 23, 2022. –
Saba Sefidi (صبا سفیدی), a Bahai from Tehran, was freed on bail from Evin Prison on February 23. Bail was set at 1.5 billion tumans (315,000 euros ; $US355,000). She was summoned to the court at Evin Prison on January 11, and arrested when she appeared there. Since then, she has had only brief contact with her family. There is no indication of the reason for her arrest and detention.
~~~~~~~~~Naatoli Derakhshaan free on bail
HRANA, February 8, 2022. –
Naatoli Derakshaan (ناتولی درخشان), a Bahai poet, has been released on bail pending his trial. The Public Prosecutor has claimed that he was arrested in relation to membership of a pyramid selling scheme. He was previously arrested by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence on February 21, 2012, and released on bail of 200 million rials (13,000 euros, $US18,000) on March 27 that year. The charge against him was said to be “propaganda against the regime.” He had published an open letter to Ayatollah Khamenei, drawing attention to human rights violations against the Bahais and others in Iran, the exclusion of Bahai youth from tertiary education, and the false denials of these facts by Iran’s representatives at the United Nations. Mr. Derakshaan himself is excluded from tertiary education because he is a Bahai.
~~~~~~~~~Sina Shahri bailed in Tabriz
HRANA, February 3, 2022. –
On February 2, Sina Shahri (سینا شهری) was released on bail in Tabriz, pending his trial. He was arrested on January 17 when agents from the Ministry of Intelligence raided his home, confiscating a number of personal effects relating to the Bahai Faith, and arresting him. He later told his family by telephone that he was detained in a Ministry of Intelligence detention centre. On January 22, his wife Negaar Nasiri (نگار نصیری) was summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence facility in Tabriz known as “Room 37” and questioned for some hours before her release.
~~~~~~~~~Three arrests in Tehran’s Marlik district
HRANA, February 1, 2022. –
Security forces have arrested Mrs. Pari Kargaran-Marvasti (پری کارگریان مروستی), Daniel Baninezhad (دانیال بنی نژاد) and Ismael Mowla’i (اسماعیل مولایی) in Marlik, a suburb in Tehran. The agents raided Mrs. Kargaran’s home and seized some personal belongings, including mobile phones, electronic equipment, and pictures, books and objects relating to the Bahai Faith. The HRANA report says that Ismael Mowla’i is not a Bahai, but other reports do not say this.
~~~~~~~~~Farhaam Saabet and Farzaan Ma`sumi begin 2-year prison terms
HRANA, January 24, 2022. –
On January 23, Farhaam Saabet (فرهام ثابت) and Farzaan Ma`sumi (فرزان معصومی) reported to Adelabad Prison in Shiraz to begin serving their 2-year sentences. Mr Saabet and Ma`sumi were initially sentenced to five years in prison (with an additional one-year concurrent sentence) by Judge Sayyid Mahmud Saadaati (قاضی سید محمود ساداتی), sitting in the Revolutionary Court in Shiraz. The Provincial Review Court reduced this to two years in prison. They were charged with propaganda activities against the regime and membership in opposition groups. They were arrested on the morning of February 12, 2017, when their homes were searched and religious and non-religous books, mobile phones and computers were seized, along with family photos and religious images. They were held at the Revolutionary Guards’ Intelligence Detention Center (Detention Facility 100) in Shiraz, and were freed on bail on the morning of February 22. Bail was set at 200 million tumans each (59,000 euros ; $US 62,000). Farzaan Ma`sumi was again arrest on October 21, 2019, along with Kiaana Sho`aari (کیانا شعاعی) and Soroush Abaadi (سروش آبادی). It was later claimed that they were holding a religious ceremony that would eclipse the Arba’een Pilgrimage in Karbala, but this allegation seems to have been dropped now.
~~~~~~~~~Jamaal Afshaar bailed in Ahvaz
HRANA, January 22, 2022. –
Jamaal Afshaar (جمال افشار) was freed on bail from the Central Prison in Ahvaz on January 22. He is the last of seven Bahais arrested in home raids in Mahshahr on December 27 to be freed. Five of these were questioned and released after a few hours, while Behzaad Afshaar was bailed on January 14.
~~~~~~~~~Negaar Nasiri summoned in Tabriz
HRANA, January 22, 2022. –
On January 22, Negaar Nasiri (نگار نصیری) was summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence facility in Tabriz known as “Room 37.” Her husband Sina Shahri (سینا شهری) was arrested during a raid on their home in Tabriz last week (the precise day is not specified).
~~~~~~~~~Raid and arrest in Tabriz
HRANA, January 17, 2022. –
Agents from the Ministry of Intelligence have raided the home of Sina Shahri (سینا شهری) in Tabriz, confiscating a number of personal effects relating to the Bahai Faith, and arresting him. The date of the raid is not specified, but HRANA usually reports events within three days.
~~~~~~~~~Property of Shayda Taa’id confiscated by Article 49 court
HRANA, January 17, 2022. –
A special court for Mazandaran Province has ruled that the property of Shayda Taa’id ( شیدا تائید ), a Bahai living in Nur County, Mazandaran, should be seized and handed to “The Executive Headquarters of the Imam.” This organisation, known as Setad, is a parastate organization controlled by the Supreme Leader of Iran. It was created from thousands of properties confiscated in the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and serves as a front company for the dubious assets of the ruling elite. The special court rules on confiscations under Article 49 of the Constitution, which says that the government has the responsibility of confiscating all wealth accumulated through usury, usurpation, bribery (etc..), and the operation of centers of corruption. The court based its decision on a fatwa from (unspecified) Shiah clerics, that the ownership of property by Bahais is not in accordance with religious law (“مشروع نبودن اموال بهائیان” ). The decision was issued on January 13 this year.
Mrs Taa’id was arrested in her home in Qaemshahr on September 23, 2021, and released on bail on October 4. Bail was set at 900 million tumans (18,400 euros ; $US 21,400). The authorities have been harassing her for over a decade. On November 6, 2010, the home she shared with her mother, Fariba Ta’id ( فریده تایید ), was searched by the Ministry of Intelligence, and on November 20, 2010, they were arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence. They were both released in early December, 2010. In 2013, her home was raided on January 21, and she was arrested along with her guest, Bayan Baba’i ( بیان بابایی ) from Qaemshahr. They were taken to the Ministry of Intelligence in Sari, and three days later were allowed to contact their families. They were detained by the Ministry of Intelligence in Sari for a total of 25 days. In June 2016 she began a one-year sentence in Babol Prison, in relation to the 2013 arrest, but was released early, in December that year.
~~~~~~~~~Samira Ebraahimi arrested, released on bail
HRANA, January 12, 2022. –
Samira Ebraahimi (سمیرا ابراهیمی) was arrested in Tehran on January 10, after answering a summons, and freed from Evin Prison on bail on January 11. Bail was unusually high, at 800 million tumans (165,000 euros ; $US 189,000). Mrs. Ebrahimi is the wife of Arsalan Yazdani (ارسلان یزدانی), who was arrested on September 1, 2021, in a raid on the family home. He was detained for 45 days, and then released on bail of one million tumans (200 euros ; $US 240).
~~~~~~~~~Saba Sefidi arrested in Tehran
HRANA, January 11, 2022. –
Saba Sefidi (صبا سفیدی), a Bahai from Tehran, was summoned to the court at Evin Prison on January 11, and arrested when she appeared there. No further details are available.
~~~~~~~~~Baha’i poet Naatoli Derakhshaan arrested in Sari City
HRANA (English), January 12, 2022. –On January 11, Naatoli Derkshaan (ناتولی درخشان), a Bahai poet, was arrested by intelligence agents at his home in Sari City and transferred to an unidentified location. The reasons for this arrest, the charges against him and his whereabouts are unknown at the time of writing.
He was previously arrested by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence on February 21, 2012, and released on bail of 200 million rials (13,000 euros, $US18,000) on March 27 that year. The charge against him was said to be “propaganda against the regime.” He had published an open letter to Ayatollah Khamenei, drawing attention to human rights violations against the Bahais and in Iran, the exclusion of Bahai youth from tertiary education, and the false denials of these facts by Iran’s representatives at the United Nations. Mr. Derakshaan himself is excluded from tertiary education because he is a Bahai. I have no record that he was tried in relation to the 2012 arrest.
~~~~~~~~~Behzaad Afshaar released, Jamaal Afshaar still held in Ahvaz
HRANA, January 15, 2022. –
Behzaad Afshaar, A Bahai from Mahshahr, in Southwest Iran, was released from Ahvaz prison on bail on January 14, while Jamaal Afshaar (جمال افشار) is still detained in Ahvaz. They were among seven Bahais arrested in home raids in Mahshahr on December 27. The other five were questioned and released after a few hours.
~~~~~~~~~Iran Wire, January 5, 2022. –
Samira Ebraahimi (سمیرا ابراهیمی), the wife of Arsalan Yazdani (ارسلان یزدانی), has been summoned to the Tehran Revolutionary Court for questioning, for the second time in three weeks. She is due to report to the court on January 8. Her previous questioning was about December 21. Arsalan Yazdani was arrested on September 1, 2021, in a raid on the family home. He was detained for 45 days, and then released on bail of one million tumans (200 euros ; $US 240).
~~~~~~~~~Seven arrested in home raids in Mahshahr: two still held
HRANA, January 1, 2022. –
On December 27, seven Bahais were arrested in a raid on their home in Mahshahr, in the Southwest of Iran: five were questioned and released, and two have been taken to the city of Ahvaz, capital of Khuzestan Province. They are Jamaal Afshaar (جمال افشار) and Behzaad Afshaar (بهزاد افشار). The five who questioned and released a few hours later are Farideh Farzaaneh (فریده فرزانه), Mehraan Afshaar (مهران افشار), A`zam Afshaar (اعظم افشار), Kiomaarth Afshaar (کیومرث افشار) and Golnoush Afshaar (گلنوش افشار). During the raid, some personal effects were seized. Mehraan. A`zam and Golnoush Afshaar were also summoned to return to the Security Agency next day, when they were again questioned and released after a few hours.
~~~~~~~~~Egyptian court says no cemeteries to be provided for Bahais and some others
Mada Masr, December 30, 2021. –
A ruling by the Administrative Court of Alexandria this week exempted local authorities in Alexandria of the responsibility to provide Bahais with a space to bury their dead. The ruling also affects anyone in Egypt who has a dash mark (“-”) in the “religion” field of their national identity card. The dash indicates that they are not adherents of Islam, Christianity or Judaism.
Currently, a single cemetery space in Cairo’s Basatin neighborhood is available to the thousands of Egyptian Bahais. This has led to the depletion of the cemetery’s capacity and has required the families of deceased Bahais to transport the remains of their loved ones to Cairo from all across Egypt. Such long-distance transport is contrary to Bahai burial requirements.
In Alexandria and Borg al-Arab, where most Bahais in Egypt live, families have spent years submitting their requests to local councils for dedicated burial space, Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights researcher Amr Ezzat told Mada Masr. However, government employees often refuse even to file the submitted requests.
In a legal suit submitted to the Administrative Court of Alexandria a year ago, EIPR lawyers sued to obligate Alexandria’s local governorate authorities to allocate cemetery space for them on behalf of dozens of Baha’i families.
On Monday, December 27, the court refused to oblige the governorate to take action, referring to a State Lawsuits Authority opinion advising the court to reject the case on the basis that only Islam, Christianity and Judaism are recognized as religions in Egypt and guaranteed the freedom and space to worship and practice their rites.
EIPR’s lawsuit argues that the government does recognize people of other faiths or of no faith, and points to the 2009 decision to allow for people who are not Muslim, Christian or Jewish to leave the field dedicated to religious affiliation in their national IDs blank, as an acknowledgement of a fourth category of religious identification.
Under a 1966 law on cemeteries, local councils are tasked with looking into how much space is needed by different religious sects, and with proposing potentially appropriate sites and spaces to the Governor, who is then responsible for making a decision.
EIPR intends to appeal the ruling before the Supreme Administrative Court.
The initiative’s statement noted that the governor of Alexandria had consulted with the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar regarding the lawsuit, who concluded that “it is not permissible to allocate a plot of land to bury the dead who bear the mark (-) [to denote religious affiliation on their IDs]… because it leads to discrimination and division, and tears the fabric of a unified society.”
~~~~~~~~~Home search and summons for the parents of Arsalaan Yazdaani
Iran Wire, December 19.* 2021. –
On the afternoon of December 15, eight security agents bearing a court order searched the Tehran home of the mother and father of Arsalan Yazdani (ارسلان یزدانی), and showed an old summons for Mrs Sa`ideh Khasousi (سعیده خضوعی): one to which she had already responded. At the time of the search, the family was in the midst of moving house, with many possessions packed in boxes. Their son Arsalaan was arrested on September 1, in a raid on the family home, and taken to Evin Prison. The agents also seized some personal effects. On September 30, the same eight agents raided his parents’ home and seized more personal belongings. This time, the agents were wearing body cameras. They were looking for the internal hard disks of the family computer and laptop, but those devices had already been confiscated by the agents, and the family had not been able to buy new ones, so there was nothing to confiscate. They had to be satisfied with some religious books and pictures, and Mrs. Khasousi’s new mobile phone.
Arsalaan was released on bail on October 16 after 45 days in detention.
*The date on this report is Sunday, December 16, 2021, but December 16 was a Thursday.
~~~~~~~~~Shiva Khalili sentenced to one year in prison
HRANA, December 18, 2021. –
Shiva Khalili (شیوا خلیلی) has been sentenced to one year in prison by a Revolutionary Court in Iran, for propaganda against the regime. The sentence also ordered the seizure of her mobile telephone as an “instrument of crime.” She was arrested in Babol on November 16, after answering a telephone summons to the office of the Revolutionary Prosecutor, and released on bail the following day.
~~~~~~~~~Mitra Amirabaadi and Heyva Yazdaan enter prison in Yazd
HRANA, December 14, 2021. –
Mitrabandi-Amirabaadi-Baaghi (میترا بندی امیرآبادی) and Heyva Yazdaan-Mahdiabaadi (هیوا یزدان مهدی آبادی) were arrested on December 13, and taken to prison in Yazd to begin their 8-month sentences. They were convicted of “propaganda against the regime” because of their Bahai beliefs. They were arrested on May 30. In July 2021 the Revolutionary Court in Yazd, presided over by Judge Reza Javad Musavi (قاضی رضا جواد موسوی) sentenced them to two years and eight months in prison for membership of anti-regime groups, and to eight months in prison for propaganda against the regime. Only the propaganda accusation was upheld by the Provincial Review Court, in November this year.
~~~~~~~~~Death of Shapur Rasekh
Editorial, December 8, 2021. –
Dr. Shapur Rasekh, a well known educationalist, sociologist, scholar, author, and former member of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Iran and Switzerland and the Continental Board of Counselors for Europe, has died at the age of 97. His publications in the field of Bahai studies have been detailed and soundly based: he will be very much missed.
~~~~~~~~~Seizures of Bahai-owned farms in Kata
Bahai International Community, December 5, 2021. –
Thirteen irrigated farmland plots belonging to Bahais in the village of Kata in Iran’s southwest have been advertised for sale by tender. The organization “Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order” – a parastatal agency controlled by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that holds and sells assets seized from proscribed groups and individuals advertised the 13 land parcels on an auction website in mid-October, though Bahais have held the deeds to these properties for generations. Complaints by the Bahais – and even attempts to repurchase their own lands – have been rebuffed by the authorities. The Bahais were told that the auction was closed to Bahais, and also to any Muslims that had dealings with Bahais.
“This is yet another example of the Iranian Government’s increasingly callous program of targeted religious persecution against the Baha’i community” said Bani Dugal, Principal Representative to the UN for the Baha’i International Community. “This act inflicts an intolerable and brazen injustice upon an innocent, law-abiding community. Arbitrarily taking farmer’s livelihoods away from them and putting their land up for sale is an act which runs counter to every norm of human decency.”
“State confiscation of property and the denial of livelihoods are both violations of Iran’s human rights commitments under United Nations conventions,” said Ms. Dugal. “The incomes earned from these farms have sustained these families for over 100 years. This plunder, which is being called an auction, must be cancelled without delay.”
More than 400 Bahai families were displaced from Kata after the Revolution. Several hundred homes were torched by mobs, and the Kata Bahais had to live in a refugee camp. Court and official orders in 2002, 2008 and 2016 also confirm more recent attempts by the authorities to confiscate farmlands in and around Kata.
The last year has seen repeated seizures of Bahai properties by the Iranian authorities across the country. In August, after raids on Bahai homes during which security agents sought and confiscated property deeds, six plots in Semnan Province were taken; and in November farmlands were seized surrounding the village of Roshankooh, also in Mazandaran Province.
“How many times must we remind the Iranian authorities that lands owned by Baha’is are not theirs to do with as they please?” asked Ms. Dugal. “Iran’s government must acknowledge this fact today and return all these assets to their rightful Bahai owners.”
~~~~~~~~~Pedram `Abhar arrested in Shiraz
Radio Farda, November 22, 2021. –
Pedram `Abhar (پدرام عبهر), a 37-year-old Bahai from Shiraz, was arrested on November 21. He works as a private tutor of English. He was driving from Shiraz to Bushehr and stopped for a few minutes’ rest in Dast-e Arzhan (a village, but also the name of the area which is a bird sanctuary). As he was about to return to his car, he was surrounded by several unmarked cars, detained, and returned to his parents’ house in Shiraz, which was searched. He and his family were then interrogated (presumably in the house). The agents seized birth certificates, ID cards and passports, phones, laptops and several hard drives. He was formally arrested and taken away. He is the 18th Bahai arrested in Shiraz since April this year.
~~~~~~~~Shiva Khalili arrested in Babol
HRANA, November 16, 2021. –
Shiva Khalili () was arrested in Babol on November 16, after answering a telephone summons to the office of the Revolutionary Prosecutor. There is no information about the reasons for the arrest.
~~~~~~~~~Six Bahai-run businesses sealed in Qaemshahr
HRANA, November 9, 2021. –
The workplaces of six Bahais in Qaemshahr were closed by the authorities on November 8, because the Bahais took free days to observe two Bahai holy days last week. The workplaces are identified as a doll and toy workship belonging to Nima No`khaah (نیما نوع‌خواه), a spectacles repair unit belong to Naabat Asadi (نابت اسدی), a unit making hygiene requirements belonging to Soheil Baabaa’i (سهیل بابایی), a shop servicing refrigeration and air conditioning units, belonging to Kourush Rezaa’i (کوروش رضایی), a paint and building supplies business run by Maazyaar `Abaasi (مازیار عباسی) and a welding and ironware unit run by Mr. Akbari (آقای اکبری). A number of Bahai-run businesses in Qaemshahr and elsewhere in Mazandaran Province were closed in 2015 for the same reason, and they have still not been allowed to reopen. Because Bahais are excluded from government employment and from employment in many sectors of the economy, a large portion of them run small shops, workshops and independent practices in professions such as optometry.
~~~~~~~~~Sentences reduced for four Bahais in Yazd
HRANA, November 8, 2021. –
The Court of Review for Yazd Province has reduced the sentences of Amin Dhulfaqaari (امین ذوالفقاری), Mahbubeh Mithaaqiyaan-Dehqaan (محبوبه میثاقیان دهقان) Mitra Bandi-Amirabaadi-Baaghi (میترا بندی امیرآبادی) and Heyva Yazdaan-Mahdiabaadi-Bahifar (هیوا یزدان مهدی آبادی) to eight months. In July 2021 the Revolutionary Court in Yazd, presided over by Judge Reza Javad Musavi (قاضی رضا جواد موسوی) sentenced them to two years and eight months in prison for membership of anti-regime groups, and to eight months in prison for propaganda against the regime. Only the propaganda charge was upheld. The four cases were initially separate; the common element was only the involvement of the Ministry of Intelligence.
Amin Dhulfaqaari (امین ذوالفقاری) was arrested by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence on May 21 this year, and released on bail on June 23. He was accused of teaching the Bahai Faith. Mahbubeh Mithaaqiyaan-Dehqaan (محبوبه میثاقیان دهقان) was arrested by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence on June 1, and bailed on June 16, 2020. Mitra Bandi-Amirabaadi-Baaghi (میترا بندی امیرآبادی) and Heyva Yazdaan-Mahdiabaadi-Bahifar (هیوا یزدان مهدی آبادی) were arrested on May 30, and released on bail on September 1 after three months of detention. Mrs. Bani-Mahdiabadi and Mrs Yazdaan-Mahdiabaadi had also been arrested in late November, 2017, for teaching music to children. Both were given suspended sentences, which have expired.
~~~~~~~~~Seyaavash Sobhaaneyaan sentenced in Damavand County
HRANA, November 5, 2021. –
Seyaavash Sobhaaneyaan (سیاوش سبحانیان) has been sentenced to two years in prison by a Revolutionary Court in Damavand. Mr Sobhaaneyaan’s father died several years ago, and the family was refused permission to bury him in Rudehen (رودهن), a town halfway between the eastern edge of Tehran and the city of Damavand. They were told he must be buried at Khatunabad (خاتون آباد), about an hour and quarter’s drive to the south. It appears that the charge against Mr. Sobhaaneyaan relates to his following up the family’s request for a burial in Rudehen. He was charged with acting against national security by membership in and running an illegal Bahai organization. His sister, Parisa Sobhaaneyaan Najafaabaadi (پریسا سبحانیان نجف آبادی), was arrested on August 10, 2019, and her brother was told at that time that he should not leave town, and he was arrested a few days later (the present HRANA report says in the month of Mehr, beginning September 23).
~~~~~~~~~Six Bahais in Shiraz given 31-month sentences
HRANA, November 4, 2021. –
A revolutionary court in Shiraz has handed down sentences of 31 months and 16 days to Sadiqeh Aqdasi (صدیقه اقدسی), `Aliyyeh Farutan (عالیه فروتن), Siyaamak Honavar (سیامک هنرور), Qaasem Ma`sumi (قاسم معصومی), Sa`id Ettehaad (سعید اتحاد) and Behrouz Farzandi Ardakaani (بهروز فرزندی اردکانی). They were charged with membership of an anti-regime group. They were also sentenced to seven months and 16 days for propaganda against the regime, but this will be concurrent with the longer sentence. The trial was held on October 10. Mr. Ardakaani was arrested on April 5, and the others the following day, during raids on their homes. During the raids, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence seized their personal effects such as books and electronic devices. Mr. Ardakaani and Sadiqeh Aqdasi were freed on bail on May 3. I do not have a report of when the others were released pending trial.
~~~~~~~~~Manizheh A`zamiyaan’s 1-year sentence confirmed
HRANA, November 2, 2021. –
The Review Court for Mazandaran Province has confirmed the 1-year prison sentence of Manizheh A`zamiyaan (منیژه اعظمیان), a Bahai from Babol. She was charged with propaganda against the regime. She was arrested on April 13 this year. Next day, she was released on bail of 50 million tumans (10,000 euros ; $US 12,000). Four days before her arrest, security forces raided her home and seized some personal effects including mobile phones, computer hard drives, flash drives, and pictures, books and other printed matter relating to the Bahai Faith. After the morning search, the agents asked her to go to the office of the Ministry of Intelligence in Babol for interrogation. She did so, and was questioned for several hours. This was repeated several times in the days before her arrest. Mrs. A`zamiyaan is 52 years old. Intelligence agents also contacted several of her contacts, stored on her mobile phone, and summoned them for questioning about their contacts with Mrs. A`zamiyaan. I have no reports of the date of her trial in the Revolutionary Court in Babol.
~~~~~~~~~Four Bahais bailed in Shiraz
HRANA, October 26, 2021. –
Mo`in Mithaaqi (معین میثاقی), Negaareh Qaaderi (نگاره قادری), Haayedeh Forutan (هایده فروتن) and her son Mehran Mosallanezhad (مهران مصلی نژاد) were freed on bail on October 26. The first two were arrested in Shiraz on September 22, and Mrs. Mosallaneszhad and her son on October 27. They were taken to Facility 201 — run by the city Police, rather than the Ministry of Intelligence — and held in solitary confinement for their interrogations. Bail was set at 800 million tumans each, which (if it is not a mistake for rials) is unusually high: 164,000 euros or $US 190,000.
~~~~~~~~~Appeal of the Bahais of Ivel against expropriations rejected
HRANA, October 21, 2021. –
An appeal by the Bahais of the village of Ivel (ایول) against the state seizure of their lands and homes has been rejected, without a hearing or a reason. Mohammad-Hadi `Erfaaneyaan-Kaas (محمدهادی عرفانیان کاس), a lawyer for the judiciary, announced on September 21 that he had decided not to allow a retrial. A lawyer acting for the Bahais had lodged a request for a new hearing on Febraruy 23 this year.
The village has been the scene of severe anti-Bahaism. The Bahai population of the village was expelled after the 1979 revolution, and some at least of the properties were confiscated. Many of the Bahais fled to the city of Sari, but some continued to farm land and pick fruit, without living in the village. In 2010, about 50 Bahai-owned homes were demolished.
~~~~~~~~~Latest in a series of raids on Bahai homes in Shiraz
HRANA, October 18, 2021. –
On October 16, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence in Shiraz raided the home of Soroush Abaadi (سروش آبادی) and Nora Momtaaziyaan (نورا ممتازیان), their fourth raid on this home in the space of two years. Because of the previous raids, there was little to find in the house, but they took away Mrs. Momtaaziyaan’s mobile telephone and some pieces of paper. Mrs/ Momtaaziyaan has been summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence’s Facility 100 for interrogation, on October 21. Mrs. Momtazian’s father, William Momtaaziyaan (ویلیام ممتازیان), lives in the same block of appartments. His apartment was searched on April 7 this year, when agents seized a computer hard drive, mobile telephones, electronic equipment and Bahai books. At around 10 am on October 16, agents rang his doorbell and were admitted to the lobby, but they went unannounced to the apartment of Mr Abaadi and Mrs Momtaaziyaan. Mr. Abaadi was not home, and the agents had no female officer with them, but they entered and searched the home, and gave Mrs. Momtaaziyaan a summons. Mr. Abaadi was arrested on October 21, 2019, and the home was searched at that time with the seizure of all electronic devices and some personal effects. He was arrested again on April 6, 2021, and books and electronic devices were again confiscated. He was released on bail on May 8 2021. I do not have a record of the fourth raid on this home that HRANA mentions: it may be the raid on the apartment of Mrs. Momtaaziyaan’s father, or perhaps my records are incomplete.
~~~~~~~~~Optician in Qaemshahr fired for Bahai beliefs
HRANA, October 17, 2021. –
Six years ago, the optician’s business of Soheil Haqdust (سهیل حقدوست) in Qaemshahr was closed down by the authorities because he had taken a free day to observe a Bahai Holy Day. He went to work in the office of an opthamologist in the city, but has now been fired becuase the Republican Guard put pressure on his employer. Then he was arrested, on the accusation that he had spread information about the closure of his shop, and the businesses of other Bahais in the Province of Mazandaran. After four days he was freed on bail, and the Revolutionary Court of Sari later sentenced him to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime.” The Provincial Review Court reduced this to four months, but in February 2019 he was among those pardoned on the anniversary of the triumph of the 1979 Revolution.
~~~~~~~~~Arsalaan Yazdaani bailed in Tehran
HRANA, October 16, 2021. –
Arsalan Yazdani (ارسلان یزدانی), a Baha’i living in Tehran, was released on bail on October 16 after 45 days in detention. He was arrested on September 1, in a raid on the family home, and taken to Evin Prison. The agents also seized some personal effects. On September 30, agents raided his parents’ home and seized more personal belongings. On October 6, and order was issued for the return of some of the materials that had been seized, including their own and their childrens’ laptops and mobile phones.
~~~~~~~~~Shayda Taa’id released on bail
HRANA, October 2021. –
Shayda Taa’id (شیدا تایید), a Bahai from Qaemshahr, was released on bail on October 4. Bail was set at 900 million tumans (18,400 euros ; $US 21,400). She was arrested in her home on September 23 this year. Agents searched her home and seized her mobile phone, electronic devices, books, photographs and writings. She has been imprisoned for her faith before: on January 21, 2013 she was arrested, and three years later was sentenced to one year in prison. She served that sentence in Babol Prison. My information is that she was also arrested in 2010, when she was living in Sari (a short distance from Qaemshahr): I do not know what the outcome of that arrest was.
~~~~~~~~~Mo’in Mohammadi paroled
HRANA, October 15, 2021. –
Mo’in Mohammadi (معین محمدی), a Bahai from Yazd, has been told he will serve the remainder of his sentence on parole. He was arrested by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence on January 9, 2019. At the end of March he was sentenced to six years in prison by the Revolutionary Court in Yazd, and was released on bail on April 10. In July, the Review Court for the Province of Yazd reduced his sentence, for “propaganda against the regime” to one year of electronic surveillance by wearing a tracking bracelet. He was required to remain within the city of Yazd and the associated industrial park where he works. The Prosecutor objected to the Review Court’s decision and the case was re-tried in Iran’s Supreme Court, which overturned the Review Court decision and returned the case to the Revolutionary Court where the Judge sentenced him to the maximum penalty for membership of groups opposed to the regime — 31 months and 16 days — but deducted the 12 months he wore an ankle bracelet to give a sentence of 19 months and 16 days. On May 6 this year he was summoned to the punishments implementation office and told he must report to prison within 10 days.
~~~~~~~~~16 Bahai students excluded, & a short history of discrimination
IranWire, September 30, 2021. –
IranWire has a short history of the various disguises used to exclude Bahai students from tertiary education in Iran. Since the results of the 2021 national entrance exams were announced in late September, Baha’i students who obtained passing grades and went to the education assessment site found they were under “General Disqualification.” Because of his or her faith, a Baha’i student does not meet one of the general conditions set out for the 2021 entrance exam. The first paragraph of these general conditions states that the student is required to follow Islam or one of the religions recognized in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic. The report lists 16 Bahais known to have been barred from entering university in this way: Nora Motlagh, Leva Motlagh, Sepehr Nikki, Ava Shahriari, Nora Nabipour, Mesbah Misaghi, Foroutan Rahmani, Rosa Mokhlesi, Nasim Shahriari, Farhan Shizadi, Elena Qolizadeh Roshankoohi, Mahsa Forouhari, Forouzan Nikokar, Parsa Charkhand, Lena Kamjoo and Emilia Hakimian.
~~~~~Bahai students again barred from tertiary education in Iran
HRANA, September 26, 2021. –
HRANA reports the case of Nasim Shahyaari-Zavaareh (نسیم شهریاری زواره), an 18-year-old Bahai from Tehran who was successful in the University Entrance examinations, but has been barred from university because of her Bahai beliefs. On the web site of the National Assessments organisation, her profile has the word “rejected,” a shift from previous years when the words “file incomplete” were used. A number of other Bahai students have also received the message “rejected.” When Miss Shahyaari followed up on her rejection, she was told that the Ministry of Intelligence had tagged her. She was then asked about her beliefs and her family’s beliefs, and told, “I cannot do anything: if you insist you are a Bahai your problem probably cannot be solved.”
~~~~~~~~~Shayda Taa’id arrested in Qaemshahr
HRANA, September 25, 2021. –
Shayda Taa’id (شیدا تایید), a Bahai living in Qaemshahr, was arrested in her home on September 23. Agents searched her home and seized her mobile phone, electronic devices, books, photographs and writings. They initially put her elderly mother, Farideh Ta’ed (فریده تایید) in their vehicle as well, but then unloaded her in the middle of the road. It is not known where Mrs. Taa’id is being detained.
~~~~~~~~~Haayedeh Forutan (Mosallanezhad) and her son arrested in Shiraz
HRANA, September 24, 2021. –
Haayedeh Forutan (هایده فروتن ) and her son Mehran Mosallanezhad (مهران مصلی نژاد) were arrested in Shiraz on September 23, after responding to a summons to the office of the Ministry of Intelligence. On the previous day, agents raided the home Mo`in Mithaaqi (معین میثاقی ) and Negaareh Qaaderi (نگاره قادری،) and arrested them, and raided the home of Mrs Forutan and seized some personal effects, but they were unable to arrest her as she was not home.
~~~~~~~~~Two arrests in Shiraz, third is sought
HRANA, September 22, 2021. –
On September 22, security agents raided the home Mo`in Mithaaqi (معین میثاقی ) and Negaareh Qaaderi (نگاره قادری،) in Shiraz and arrested them. It is not known where they are being held. Agents also raided the home of Haayedeh Mosallanezhad (هایده مصلی نژاد) and seized some personal effects, but they were unable to arrest her as she was not home. Mr. Mithaaqi’s home was targetted in April, 2021, in a raid described as violent and discourteous. A bowl of soup was spilled on the feet of their two-year-old daughter, who suffered from the burns for some time.
~~~~~~~~~Kiaana Sho`aai and Soroush Abaadi sentenced in Shiraz
HRANA, September 21, 2021. –
Soroush Abaadi (سروش آبادی) and Kiana Sho`aai (کیانا شعاعی) have been sentenced by a Revolutionary Court in Shiraz to 31 months and 16 days in prison and a 2-year ban on leaving the country. The Judge in that court is Mahmud Saadaati (قاضی محمود ساداتی). The trial was held on September 12. They were charged with “membership in anti-regime groups with the intention of undermining national security.” They were also given a concurrent sentence of 7 months and 16 days in prison on a charge of “propaganda against the regime in cyberspace.” In the case of Mrs. Sho`aai, 30 months of her sentence has been suspended for a period of five years, which probably means that — given the time already in detention — she will not have to go to prison, but will have to report to the Ministry of Intelligence every month for five years. Mrs. Sho`aai was first tried on My 15, 2021, but her case was referred back to the Prosecutor’s Office for revision.
Mr. Abaadi and Mrs. Sho`aai were arrested by Intelligence agents in Shiraz on October 21, 2019, along with Farzaan Ma`sumi ( فرزان معصومی). The agents also searched their homes, along with the homes of a number of other Bahais in Shiraz, and seized personal effects such as computers, mobile phones and laptops. Mrs. Sho`aai was released on bail on November 6, 2020, and Mr Abaadi was bailed on December 1.
Soroush Abadi was initially detained by the Ministry of Intelligence at their ‘Facility 100’ interrogation unit, and then taken to the high-security block at Adelabad prison, and then moved to the prisoner of conscience block on May 5, 2021. was released on bail of 800 million tumans (156,000 euros ; $US 190,000) on May 8 this year.
Farzaan Ma`sumi was sentenced to five years in prison, reduced to two years by the Review Court.
~~~~~~~~~Bahai cemetery vandalized in the village of Kata
HRANA, September 2021. –
Buildings in the Bahai cemetery in the village of Kata, Dana County, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, have been vandalized. A video obtained by HRANA shows that the walls, bathroom and toilet were extensively damaged overnight. It is not clear from the video whether machinery was used to knock down the walls, or what has happened to the roof, if there was a roof.
~~~~~~~~~Arsalaan Yazdaani arrested in Tehran
Iran Wire, September 4, 2021. –
On Wednesday, September 1, Arsalan Yazdani (ارسلان یزدانی), a Baha’i living in Tehran, was arrested by security agents in a raid on the family home. His wife Samira Ebraahimi (سمیرا ابراهیمی) has recounted the events of the raid, and disputed a report on social media that the agents were armed. It is not known which security agency conducted the raid, or where Mr. Yazdani is being held. The full story in english on Iran Wire. The Persian report is here.
~~~~~~~~~One-year sentences confirmed for Ataa-ollah Zaffar and Abbaas Taa’ef in Tehran
HRANA, August 2021. –
The Review Court for Tehran Province has upheld the one-year sentences of Mr. Ataa-ollah Zaffar (عطاالله ظفر) and `Abbaas Taa’ef (عباس طائف). They were both arrested on September 27, 2019, following home raids by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence. They were charged with undermining national security by leading and participating in the Bahai sect. It appears that the home raids, in Tehran and Karaj, related to Bahai burials in Tehran, where Mr. Zaffar was involved with a Bahai cemetery. Mr. Taa’ef was freed on bin on November 25, 2019; I do not know when Mr. Zaffar was bailed.
The Review Court judge was Seyyed Ahmad Zargar (قاضی سیداحمد زرگر), with Counsellor `Abbas`Ali Houzaan (عباسعلی حوزان).The verdict was dated July 6.
~~~~~~~~~`Ali Ahmadi begins prison term in Qaemshahr
Iran News Wire, August 28, 2021. –
On August 26, `Ali Ahmadi (علی احمدی) was arrested and transferred to Qaemshahr Prison to serve a one-year sentence. He was arrested on November 20, 2018, by agents who insulting his religious beliefs and calling him “unclean” and “Bahai dog.” They also seized some religious books mobile phone and computer. He was freed on bail on January 2, 2019, after posting bail of 150 million tumans (31,000 euros ; $US 35,000). He was sentenced to 11 years of prison for “spreading propaganda against the state and managing a Bahai organization.” The Review Court for Mazandaran Province reduced this to one year of prison.
He has been arrested several times in the past decade or so. On the first occasion he was sentenced to 10 months in prison, and on the second occasion he was acquitted. In 2011 he was arrested with two others and charged with participation in Bahai activities. He suffers from diabetes, heart problems, and thyroid illnesses.
~~~~~~~~Dorsa Dehqaani free on bail
Radio Farda, July 2, 2021. –
Dorsa Dehqaani (درسا دهقانی), who was arrested at Shiraz railway station on June 14, was released on bail on July 1. In 2014, when she was 19 years and had just been barred from tertiary education because of her Bahai beliefs, Miss Dehqaani wrote a letter to Saadeq Laarijaani (صادق لاریجانی), who was at that time the head of the Judiciary in Iran, protesting against the discrimination and oppression suffered by the Bahais in Iran.
~~~~~~~~~Saanaaz Notqi sentenced in Ahvaz
HRANA, August 2, 2021. –
Saanaaz Notqi (ساناز نطقی), a Bahai from Ahvaz, has been sentenced to five years in prison by a revolutionary court there. Her arrest and detention were not previously reported on Sen’s Daily. The 5-year sentence relates to the charge of “membership of the illegal Bahai organisation.” She also received a concurrent 8-month sentence for “propaganda against the regime.” The trial was held on July 17, 2021. I do not know the date of her arrest, or further details.
~~~~~~~~~Touraj Amini released from jail in Karaj
HRANA, July 28, 2021. –
Bahai researcher and author Touraj Amini ( تورج امینی) was released from Karaj Prison on July 28 after serving a six-month prison sentence. In June, 2020, he was sentenced by the Revolutionary Court in Karaj to one year in prison and two years of exile from the city, but this was reduced to a six-month sentence by the Review Court. He was charged with “propaganda against the regime.”
On August 4, 2019, security forces searched his home, seizing books and notes and a laptop. Mr. Amini was previously detained for a short time, in March 2008. His books include one on the role of religious minorities in the Constitutional Revolution of 1906-1911, “The Hidden Awakening” (رستاخیز پنهان), on the relationship between Iranians intellectuals and the Babi and Bahai Faiths, and a five-volume collection of source documents relating to the Bahais in Iran.
~~~~~~~~~Four Bahais sentenced by a Revolutionary Court in Yazd
HRANA, July 2021. –
A Revolutionary Court in Yazd, presided over by Judge Reza Javad Musavi (قاضی رضا جواد موسوی) has sentenced four Bahais to two years and eight months in prison for membership of anti-regime groups, and to eight month in prison for propaganda against the regime. If the sentences are confirmed by the Review Court, they will serve only the longer sentence. The sentence was announced on July 13. The four cases were not initially related, except for the involvement of the Ministry of Intelligence.
Amin Dhulfaqaari (امین ذوالفقاری) was arrested by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence on May 21, and released on bail on June 23. He was accused of teaching the Bahai Faith. Mahbubeh Mithaaqiyaan-Dehqaan (محبوبه میثاقیان دهقان) was arrested by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence on June 1, and bailed on June 16, 2020. Mitra Bandi-Amirabaadi-Baaghi (میترا بندی امیرآبادی) and Heyva Yazdaan-Mahdiabaadi-Bahifar (هیوا یزدان مهدی آبادی) were arrested on My 30, and released on bail on September 1 after three months of detention.
Mrs. Bani-Mahdiabadi and Mrs Yazdaan-Mahdiabaadi were arrested in late November, 2017, for teaching music to children. The report says that both were given suspended sentences, which have expired, but does not indicate when this occurred.
~~~~~~~~Sentences confirmed for three Bahais in Tehran
HRANA, July 18, 2021. –
The Review Court for Tehran Province has confirmed the sentences of Saeed Naasseri (سعید ناصری), his brother Hamid Naasseri ( حمید ناصری), and Afsaaneh Emaami (افسانه امامی), wife of Saeed Nasseri. In February this year, a Revolutionary Court under Judge Mohammad-Reza Amouzaad ( قاضی محمدرضا عموزاد ) sentenced Mrs. Emami to three years in prison, and the two brothers to two years in prison, for membership of an illegal group intended to undermine national security. The same court had previously handed down these sentences in absentia and without a hearing, and confirmed them after a hearing, as has the Review Court.
Afsaaneh Emaami (افسانه امامی) was arrested at her home on the evening of February 2, 2019. Agents searched her house thoroughly and confiscated her mobile phone, computer, books, and essays. Hamid Nasseri was arrested on the street in front of his business on March 11, 2019, and Saeed was arrested on the same day after going to the Evin detention center to inquire about the condition of his brother and wife.
Afsaaneh Emaami was released on bail of 500 million tumans ( 105,000 euros; $US 119,000 ) on March 16, 2019, and Saeed and Hamid were released for the same bail amount on April 18 and 24, respectively.
~~~~~~~~~Sina Kamali Sarvestaani bailed in Shiraz
HRANA, July 11, 2021. –
Sina Kamali Sarvestaani (سینا کمالى سروستانی), who was arrested in Shiraz on June 15, was released on bail on July 11. After his arrest, he was taken first to a detention centre run by the intelligence arm of the Republican Guard. A short time later he was transferred to Adelabad prison. On July 3 he was permitted telephone contact with his family from Adelabad prison.
~~~~~~~~~Four Bahais released in Bushhehr
HRANA, July 4, 2021. –
Mrs. Minou Reyaazati (مینو ریاضتی), Ehteraam Shakhi(احترام شخی), Farideh Jaaberi (فریده جابری) and Mr. Asadollah Jaaberi (اسدالله جابری), Bahai prisoners in Bushehr prison, were recently given furlough and have now been told they will not be required to return to prison. They were among seven Bahais sentenced to three years in prison and a two-year ban on leaving the country by a Revolutionary Court in May 2019. These four Bahais began their sentences on January 25, 2020. They were charged with “membership in the Bahai group and sect with the intent of disrupting national security.”
All seven were arrested in raids on Bahai homes in Bushehr on February 2018. They were released on bail six weeks later, and tried by the Revolutionary Court in May, 2019. Their sentences were confirmed by the Provincial Review Court in November, 2019.
~~~~~~~~~Shahrzaad Nazifi retried: 8-year sentence upheld
HRANA, June 29, 2021. –
On June 8 this year, HRANA reported that Shahrzaad Nazifi (شهرزاد نظیفی), a well-known sportswoman and trainer in women’s motorcross, had been sentenced to eight years in prison, banned from leaving Iran for two years, and sentenced to three month’s community service, four hours per day, providing services to the intellectually handicapped. She was tried in absentia in a Revolutionary Court by Judge Eymaan Afshaari (قاضی ایمان افشاری), and the sentence was communicated to her “defence” lawyer after the fact. That highly irregular trial has now been rerun by the same Judge with the same outcome. The ruling cited her “bad motives and desire to destroy the religious system.” It is not clear whether she was this time allowed to know the evidence and present a defence.
~~~~~~~~~Dorsa Dehqaani arrested in Shiraz
HRANA, June 14, 2021. –
Late in the day of June 14, security forces arrested Dorsa Dehqaani (درسا دهقانی) at Shiraz railway station. They took her to her home in Shiraz, which they searched. They seized some personal effects mobile phones and Bahai books, pictures and artifacts, and took her away. It is not known where she is being detained.
Older items can be found in the archive, here. Even older news is here.
~~~~~~~~
Home raid and arrest in Shiraz
HRANA, June 14, 2021. –
On June 15, security forces arrested Sina Kamali Sarvestaani (سینا کمالى سروستانی) in front of his home in Shiraz. They searched his home and seized personal effects such as books, as well as all the electronic devices belonging to his family. It is not known where he is being detained.
~~~~~~~~~Shahrzaad Nazifi sentenced: 8 years
HRANA, June 8, 2021. –
A Revolutionary Court in Tehran has sentenced Shahrzaad Nazifi (شهرزاد نظیفی), a well-known sportswoman and trainer in women’s motorcross, to eight years in prison. She was also banned from leaving Iran for two years, and sentenced to three month’s community service, four hours per day, providing services to the intellectually handicapped. She was tried in absentia by Judge Eymaan Afshaari (قاضی ایمان افشاری). The trial was held recently and the sentence was communicated to her “defence” lawyer after the fact. The charge is said to be “managing illegal groups and gangs with the aim of disrupting national security.” The ruling cited her “bad motives and desire to destroy the religious system.”
Her home was first raided on November 10, 2018. She was arrested at a motocross track on November 18, 2018. Security forces then raided her home again and siezed all the family’s awards, titles and prizes, as well as documents related to motorcycle races. They also seized mobile telephones, laptops and books. She was released on bail 15 days later. Bail was set at 700 million tumans (147,000 euros ; $US 164,000). She and the other members of her family — who also participate in motorcross — have been banned from being present at motorcross tracks, participating in competitions, and practicing or teaching motorcross sport. Mrs. Nazifi and her husband Mehrshaad Naraqi (مهرشاد نراقی) and their two children Meraat (مرآت ) and Nora (نورا) have all been motorcross champions in Iran, and the mother and daughter are pioneers of women’s motor sports in Iran.
~~~~~~~~~Sa`id `Aabadi and Vahid Daana bailed in Shiraz
HRANA, June 2, 2021. –
Sa`id `Aabadi (سعید عابدی) and Vahid Daana (وحید دانا) were released on bail from Adelabad prison in Shiraz on June 1. They were arrested on April 28, during raids on their homes.
~~~~~~~~~Sentences confirmed for 4 Bahais from Varamin
HRANA, May 30, 2021. –
The Review Court for Tehran Province had confirmed the 3-year sentences of Mrs. Mona Mehraabi (مونا محرابی), Elhaam Karam-Pisheh (الهام کرم پیشه), Afsaaneh Yaadgaar-Ardestaani ( افسانه یادگار اردستانی) and Mr. Ehsaan-Allah Yaadgaar-Ardestaani (احسان الله یادگار اردستانی). They were charged with membership in an illegal organization with the aim of disrupting national security. The Judge of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran who handed down the 3-year sentences, Judge Muhammad-Reza Amouzad, said that the accused identified impoverished people and children who were abused or deprived of schooling, and gave them education, and that they made brochures for the Red Crescent (Red Cross) and International Children’s Day. Before the trial by Judge Muhammad-Reza Amouzad, in September or October 2018, they had been sentenced by a revolutionary court in Tehran in a secret trial without a hearing or defence, to five years in prison. Two other Bahais were sentenced to five years in the secret trial of 2018: Safa Forqani-Araani (صفا فرقانی ارانی) and Mehrdaad Forqani-Araani (مهرداد فرقانی ارانی). I have no information about what happened to them.
Mrs. Elhaam Karam-Pisheh and Mona Mehraabi were arrested on February 16, 2015, in a raid on a meeting in Tehran where six Bahais were present. All were separately interrogated in the house, and the two women were arrested in accordance with a warrant and taken away in a car from the Ministry of Intelligence. During the search, which lasted five hours, all the books, pictures and religious symbols of those present, as well as computers, laptops, tablets and mobile phones, were seized. One report adds that the officers demanded that those present should sign undertakings not to participate in Bahai meetings. Mr. Ehsaan Yaadgaar was arrested in a neighbouring home at the same time, and again religious materials were seized, along with some gold coins. He was told to present himself to the public prosecutor’s office in Varamin (the capital of Varamin County in Tehran Province). He did so, and was released after several hours. He was again arrested in early March, 2015, and taken to Evin Prison for questioning before being released. Mrs. Safa Forqani-Araani was arrested in a raid on her home [apparently in Tehran] on February 17, 2015, and her father Mehrdaad was arrested at his home in Varamin an hour later.
~~~~~~~~~Six Bahais sentenced in Borazjan: 10 years in prison
HRANA, May 26, 2021. –
A Revolutionary Court in Borazjan, the chief city of Dashtestan county, Bushehr Province, has sentenced Borhan Ismaa`ili (برهان اسماعیلی), Maryam Bashir (مریم بشیر), Faraanak Shaykhi (فرانک شیخی), Haayedeh Raam (هایده رام), Minu Bashir (مینو بشیر) and Darna Ismaa`ili (درنا اسماعیلی). The sentence was announced on May 19. The court theoretically imposed even longer sentences. Mr. Borhan Ismaa`ili was sentenced to eleven years on the charge of “propaganda against the regime by spreading the beliefs of the Bahai sect and acting against دشفهخدشم security by disseminating Bahai ideas.” The five women were sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison on the charge of “Supportion propaganda against the regime by spreading the beliefs of the Bahai sect, producing and publishing vulgar images in cyberspace and on social networks, and acting against the security of the country by publishing and propagating Bahai ideas.” All the Bahai materials seized in home raids in January 2017 were also ordered confiscated. The court findings cited the accused’s involvement with child education and membership of the counter-revolutionary web site, Facebook. If the Review Court upholds these sentences, the accused will serve ten years in prison.
The report says that the accused are from Shiraz and Borazjan, but does not explain further. My records indicate that Faraanak Shaykhi is the wife of Borhan Ismaa`ili, and that Darna Ismaa`ili is their daughter.
~~~~~~~~~Tehran review court confirms sentences of 3 years and 7 months
HRANA, May 2021. –
Mrs. Marvash `Adaalati `Ali-Abaadi (مهوش عدالتی علی آبادی), Mrs. Sepideh Keshaavarz (سپیده کشاور) and Mr. Farid Ismaa`ili (فرید اسماعیلی) have been sentenced to three years and seven months in prison by the Review Court for Tehran Province. The were charged with “collusion intended to undermine national security by conducting Bahai activities.” The Revolutionary Court, under Judge Muhammad-Reza Amouzad (قاضی محمدرضا عموزاد), had also given them concurrent sentences of eight months in prison for “promoting the Bahai Faith.” The Review Court has not confirmed those sentences, but it makes no practical difference.
~~~~~~~~~Five more detainees bailed in Baharestan
HRANA, May 2021. –
Five more of the Bahai women recently arrested in, or in relation to, the city of Baharestan in Isfahan Province were bailed on May 22. They are Noushin Hemmat (نوشین همت), Shouraangiz Behaamin (شورانگیز بهامین), Saara Shakib (سارا شکیب), Azita Rezvaani ( آزیتا رضوانی) and Sho`lah Ashuri (شعله آشوری). Bail was set at 200 million tumans (39,000 euros ; $US 47,000). Previously, Saanaaz Raasteh (ساناز راسته) and Firouzeh Rastinejaad (فیروزه راستی نژاد) were bailed on May 20; Ruya Azaadkhush (رویا آزاد خوش)and Nasreen Khaademi (نسرین خادمی) were bailed on May 18, and Maryam Khursandi (مریم خورسندی) on May 17. All were released from Dawlatabad prison in Isfahan city. Mozhgaan Pourshafi` (مژگان پورشفیع) remains in detention. The arrests and home raids across Baharestan began on April 25.
~~~~~~~~~Eight Bahais return to prison in Bandar Abbas
HRANA, May 18, 2021. –
In Bandar Abbas, eight Bahai prisoners who were granted furlough on April 14 returned to prison on April 24. Previous reports did not indicate how long the furlough would be, but ten days is quite normal. The prisoners are Arash Raasekhi (آرش راسخی), Omid Afaaqi (امید آفاقی), Mehrollah Afshaar (مهرالله افشار), Nasim Qanawaateyaan (نسیم قنواتیان), Adib Haqq-pazhuh (ادیب حق پژوه), Farhaad Amri (فرهاد امری), Maaraal Raasti (مارال راستی) and Mahnaaz Jaan-Nethaar (مهناز جان نثار). They began their one and two-year sentences in late February and early April, and the report does not indicate why they would be granted furlough so soon. A previous report on Sen’s Daily has details of their trials and sentences.
~~~~~~~~~Three detainees bailed in Baharestan cluster
HRANA, May 19, 2021. –
Roya Azaadkhoush (رویا آزادخوش) and Nasrin Khaademi (نسرین خادمی), Bahais from Baharestan, were bailed from Isfahan’s Dolatabad Prison on May 18. On May 17, Maryam Khorsandi (مریم خورسندی) was bailed. These three arrests were not previously reported on Sen’s Daily, although it was known that their homes were searched on April 25. They were arrested on the same day. HRANA has also raised the number of Bahai homes raided in Baharestan to 29, from its previous report of 28. Sho`lah Ashuri (شعله آشوری), a Bahai from Baharestan who was arrested in Hendijan, in Khuzestan Province, has been transferred to detention in Baharestan.
~~~~~~~~Kiaana Sho`aari’s trial begins in Shiraz
HRANA, May 15, 2021. –
The trial of Kiaana Sho`aari (کیانا شعاعی), a Bahai from Shiraz, began today, May 15. She was notified of her impending trial yesterday. At the hearing, at a Revolutionary Court, her case was referred back to the Prosecutor’s Office for revision. On May 5 she was summoned to the court to hear that she would be tried for “forming dissident groups with the intention of disrupting national security, membership of dissident groups with the intention of disrupting security, and propaganda against the regime.”
She was arrested on October 21, 2019, when agents from the Ministry of Intelligence arrested her and two other Bahais in Shiraz : Farzaan Ma`sumi ( فرزان معصومی) and Soroush Abaadi (سروش آبادی). The agents also searched their homes, along with the homes of a number of other Bahais in Shiraz, and seized personal effects such as computers, mobile phones and laptops. She was released on bail about two weeks later.
~~~~~~~~~Atosa Ahmadaa’i sentenced: 4 years
HRANA, May 13, 2021. –
Atosa Ahmadaa’i Rafsanjaani ( آتسا احمدآئی رفسنجانی), a Bahai from Tehran, has been sentenced to eight years in prison by a Revolutionary Court headed by Judge Afshaari (قاضی افشاری). The trial was held on February 28. Mrs Ahmadaa’i was sentenced to four years in prison for forming a group to undermine state security, because she had applied to the Ministry of the Interior for permission to establish an NGO focussing on the empowerment of women who have no support. The Ministry declined her application because of her Bahai beliefs. She was also sentenced to three years in prison fro “assembly and collusion to undermine state security” and to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime.” Sentences in Iran are normally concurrent.
She was arrested in a raid on her home in Tehran on January 20, 2019, has held incommunicado in Evin prison for 38 days before being transferred to a general section of the prison. She was released on bail on March 6, 2019. Bail was set at 200 million tumans (39,000 euros ; $US 47,000). Her case file was passed to Judge Amouzaad (قاضی عموزاد), where it remained for the next two years, until Judge Afshaari, in another branch of the court, commandeered the file, simply because the accused was a Bahai. Judge Afshaari held a trial at which he insulted Mrs Ahmadaa’i and treated her lawyer badly, and issued a judgement in the case without detailed examination. The only evidence was her application to form an NGO for women.
~~~~~~~~~Three detainees bailed in Shiraz
HRANA, May 7 and May 8, 2021. –
Soroush Abaadi (سروش آبادی), Siyaamak Honavar (سیامک هنرور) and Qaasem Ma`sumi (قاسم معصومی) have been freed on bail in Shiraz. They are among the Bahais arrested in Shiraz on April 6. Mr. Ma`sumi was released from Adelabad prison on the evening of May 6. Soroush Abadi was released on bail of 800 million tumans (156,000 euros ; $US 190,000) on May 8. He was initially detained by the Ministry of Intelligence at their ‘Facility 100’ interrogation unit, and then taken to the high-security block at Adelabad prison, and then moved to the prisoner of conscience block on May 5. Mr. Honavar was also bailed on May 8.
~~~~~~~~~Mo’in Mohammadi summoned to prison in Yazd
HRANA, May 7, 2021. –
On May 6, Mo’in Muhammadi (معین محمدی) was summoned to the punishments implementation office and told he must report to prison within 10 days. He was arrested by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence on January 9, 2019. At the end of March he was sentenced to six years in prison by the Revolutionary Court in Yazd, and was released on bail on April 10. In July, the Review Court for the Province of Yazd reduced his sentence, for “propaganda against the regime” to one year of electronic surveillance by wearing a tracking bracelet. He was required to remain within the city of Yazd and the associated industrial park where he works.
The Prosecutor objected to the Review Court’s decision and the case was re-tried in Iran’s Supreme Court, which overturned the Review Court decision and returned the case to the Revolutionary Court where the Judge sentenced him to the maximum penalty for membership of groups opposed to the regime — 31 months and 16 days — but deducted the 12 months he wore an ankle bracelet to give a sentence of 19 months and 16 days.
~~~~~~~~~Sa`id Ettehaad bailed in Shiraz
HRANA, May 5, 2021. –
Sa`id Ettehaad (سعید اتحاد), one of the many Bahais arrested in Shiraz in April, was released on bail on May 5. He was arrested during the raids on Bahai homes in Shiraz on April 6.
~~~~~~~~~Another Bahai from Baharestan arrested, in Hendijan
HRANA, May 5, 2021. –
On May 5, agents from the security forces raided the home of Sho`lah Ashuri (شعله آشوری) in the city of Hendijan, in Iran’s Khuzestan Province, and arrested her. They also seized her mobile phone and a quantity of books, printed materials and images relating to the Bahai Faith. They gained entry by climbing over the wall, at a time when Mrs. Ashuri’s husband was not at home. Mrs. Ashuri is from Baharestan, in Isfahan Province, where ten Bahais have been arrested recently and numerous Bahai homes have been raided, including the home of her father. She moved to Hendijan two years ago.
~~~~~~~~~Shahnaaz Saabet released
HRANA, May 4, 2021. –
Shahnaaz Saabet (شهناز ثابت) was released from prison in Shiraz, where she was serving a two-year sentence. This follows the acceptance of her request for a new hearing. She began her sentence on October 6, 2020, so she has served seven months.
Mrs. Saabet was arrested in her home in Shiraz on September 1, 2019. She was initially sentenced to six years in prison, by Judge Sayyid Mahmud Saadaati (قاضی سید محمود ساداتی), on charges of “propaganda against the regime and membership in anti-regime group.” This was reduced to two years by the Review Court.
~~~~~~~~~Farzandi Ardakaani and Sadiqeh Aqdasi bailed in Shiraz
HRANA, May 3, 2021. –
Behrouz Farzandi Ardakaani (بهروز فرزندی اردکانی) and Sadiqeh Aqdasi (صدیقه اقدسی) were freed on bail on May 3. They were arrested on April 5 and 6 respectively, during a wave of home raids and arrests targetting the Bahai community in Shiraz. They were held in solitary confinement and under interrogation by the Revolutionary Guards’ intelligence arm, and were then taken to the Ministry of Intelligence Detention Facility 100. Mr. Vahid Daana (وحید دانا) and Sa`id `Aabadi (سعید عابدی) are also being held in Facility 100, in solitary confinement. Their arrest in late April was reported previously.
Mr. Ardakaani’s name was previously reported as Farzandi Ardakaani (فرزندی اردکانی). He is a veteran of the Iran-Iraq war and was held as a prisoner of war, and suffers from neurological and hearing problems caused by blast waves, as well as a heart disorder.
~~~~~~~~~More homes searched, tenth Bahai woman arrested, in Baharestan cluster
HRANA, April 30, 2021. –
On April 30, Shouraangiz Behaamin (شورانگیز بهامین), a Bahai from Baharestan [NB there seems to be a typo in the HRANA report: ابن شهر must be این سهر, ] was arrested at her father’s house in the village of Garuzeh in the Province of Kohgilyeh and Boyer-Ahmad. Her home in Baharestan had been searched by security agents on April 25, and her husband Mehrdaad Azhir (مهرداد آژیر) was beaten, but Mrs Behaamin was not present.
HRANA has also confirmed the identities of 28 Bahais whose homes in Baharestan and Isfahan have been raided in recent days. Many personal effects were seized during the raids, including money, Bahai materials, passports and degrees and certificates.
~~~~~~~~~Sa`id `Aabadi and Vahid Daana again arrested in Shiraz
Iran Wire, April 29, 2021. –
On April 28, agents from the security forces raided the homes of Sa`id `Aabadi (سعید عابدی) and Vahid Daana (وحید دانا) and arrested them. Mr. Daana and Mr. `Ebadi, and other Bahais, were arrested in Shiraz on August 5, 2014. They were released on bail on September 28 and October 21, respectively. They were sentenced to one year in prison and one year in exile by a Revolutionary Court in Shiraz, charged with propaganda against the regime and in favour of its enemies. They were tried in a closed court, and sentenced by Judge Sayyid Mahmud Sadati (سید محمود ساداتی). Neither the defendants nor their lawyers were informed of that trial. Their respective places of exile were Arsanjan and Darab. In December, 2018, the Review Court for Fars Province reduced those sentences to six months in prison. In February 2019, while they were waiting their turn for a place in prison, they were among the five Bahais from Shiraz who benefited from amnesties for prisoners of conscience marking February 11, the anniversary of the fall of the Pahlavi Monarchy. They were advised, via their lawyer, that they would not be required to serve their sentences.
~~~~~~~~~Ninth arrest in Baharestan cluster; Afshin Vajdani released
HRANA, April 26, 2021. –
Maryam Khorsandi (مریم خورسندی), a Bahai from Baharestan who has recently moved to Isfahan city, was arrested there on April 25. As previously reported, thirteen Bahai homes were raided, and eight Bahais were arrested, in Baharestan, Isfahan, on the morning of April 25. Agents entered the family home by climbing a wall, searched it and seized mobile telephones, laptops, and books and images relating to the Bahai Faith. They also seized 50,000 dollars [sic] in cash, belonging to Mrs. Khorsandi’s brother who had recently returned to Iran and intended to buy a home. Mrs. Khorsandi is in the midst of a course of chemotherapy, but when she was taken away, no medicines were taken with her.
Afshin Vajdaani (افشین وجدانی), one of the eight Bahais arrested in Baharestan, Isfahan Province on April 25, was released a few hours after his arrest. The families of the detainees have no information about the reasons for the arrests and where they are being held.
~~~~~~~~~Home searches and arrests in Baharestan, Isfahan Province
HRANA, April 25, 2021. –
Thirteen Bahai homes were raided, and eight Bahais were arrested, in Baharestan, Isfahan, on the morning of April 25. Those arrested are named as Saara Shakib (سارا شکیب), Firouzeh Rastinejaad (فیروزه راستی نژاد), Saanaaz Raasteh (ساناز راسته), Azita Rezvaani ( آزیتا رضوانی), Mozhgaan Pourshafi` (مژگان پورشفیع), Nasreen Khaademi (نسرین خادمی), Afshin Vajdaani (افشین وجدانی) and his wife Noushin Hemmat (نوشین همت). The names of those arrested have been confirmed, but HRANA is still fact-checking on the names of the home-owners who were targetted in the raid.
It is not known where these eight are being detained. During the home raids, agents seized laptops and cell phones and printed materials, some of them relating to the Bahai Faith. They also took family photographs and CDs. There was some violence during the raid on Saara Shakib’s house. The agents at her home also had a warrant for Samira Shakib (سمیرا شکیب). The other raids were also violent, and in one case a door was broken down because there was nobody home.
Saara Shakib’s brother, Sina Shakib (سینا شکیب), a fourth semester student of statistics and applications at the University of Isfahan, was recently expelled because of his Bahai beliefs. In 2016, Saara Shakib was a new student of Statistics and Applications at the Kashan campus of Iran’s National University. She was expelled first from the student accommodation, and then from the University, because of her Bahai beliefs. Another sister, Samira Shakib, was barred from enrolling in a tertiary institution, when her file was marked “incomplete.” The siblings’ mother was also barred from university.
~~~~~~~~~Authorities close Bahai cemetery in Tehran
Iran Press Watch, April 22, 2021. –
Iranian authorities have banned the Bahais of Tehran from burying their loved ones in a space previously allocated to them in Tehran’s Khavaran cemetery. After the 1979 Revolution, the Iranian government began to desecrate, and in some cases demolish, Bahai cemeteries in Tehran and all around the country.
In 1981, the central Bahai cemetery in Tehran was confiscated, and more than 15,000 graves were demolished. Later a parcel of land in this cemetery was assigned to the Bahais, but the government refused to sell the property to the Bahais and has since substantially increased the price of each burial plot.The cemetery land assigned to the Bahais would have been sufficient for several decades. However, agents from the Security Office of the Behesht-e Zahra Organization, which manages Khavaran, have now banned the community from using these plots. The Security Officer reportedly issued threats against Bahais who were attempting to use the allocated land.
The Bahais are now being forced to choose between impossible options. One is to use the narrow gaps between existing graves to bury their loved ones, the other is to use a mass burial site authorities claim to have recently emptied. This site is known to be the burial place of thousands of political prisoners killed in early years of the Islamic revolution, and at least 50 martyred Bahais.
“Prohibiting individuals from burying their loved ones in a befitting manner, when they are already in grief, is beyond inhumane,” said Diane Ala’i, Representative of the Baha’i International Community to the United Nations in Geneva. “The Bahais respect the resting places of all and, given that over many decades the Bahai community has faced the desecration of its own cemeteries, they do not want anyone to experience the same pain by burying their dead where others [the political prisoners] recently lay.”
~~~~~~~~~Manizheh A`zamiyaan arrested and released in Babol
HRANA, April 19, 2021. –
On April 13, security forces in Babol, a city on the Caspian Coast, arrested Mrs. Manizheh A`zamiyaan (منیژه اعظمیان). Next day, she was released on bail of 50 million tumans (10,000 euros ; $US 12,000). Four days before her arrest, security forces raided her home and seized some personal effects including mobile phones, computer hard drives, flash drives, and pictures, books and other printed matter relating to the Bahai Faith. After the morning search, the agents asked her to go to the office of the Ministry of Intelligence in Babol for interrogation. She did so, and was questioned for several hours. This was repeated several times in the days before her arrest. Mrs. A`zamiyaan is 52 years old. Intelligence agents also contacted several of her contacts, stored on her mobile phone, and summoned them for questioning about their contacts with Mrs. A`zamiyaan.
~~~~~~~~~Murder of Ataa’ollah Rezvaani to be investigated
HRANA, April 19, 2021. –
Seven years and seven months after the murder of Ataa’ollah Rezvaani (طاالله رضوانی) in Bandar Abbas, the case has been referred to the Prosecutor for a new investigation. Mr. Rezvaani, a well-known member of the Bahai community in Bandar Abbas, was killed on August 24, 2013. He was shot in the head and the body was found in his car in a desert area. The police initially claimed this was suicide, but the weapon was not found, and his cell phone was also taken. He was lured from his home by a call to his cell phone. The case has languished since then in the hands of the court, who have shown no inclination to investigate, which suggests the involvement of a person or persons that the court regarded as untouchable.
Mr. Rezvani was well-known as a Bahai. For three years he was one of the three Bahais who served as local facilitators (Khademin) for the Bahais in the area, which would have involved interactions with local authorities on behalf of the Bahais, on matters such as burials. His life had previously been threatened by fanatical elements within the city administration, by the office of the Imam Jam`eh and by the Ministry of Intelligence. He was loved and respected by the people of Bandar Abbas for his honesty and helpfulness. As a young man, he was expelled from his engineering studies at university because he was a Bahai. He became an expert in water purification, and his work took him to other cities. In the period before his death, agents of the Ministry of Intelligence had been pressuring him to leave the city, and he was receiving menacing telephone calls from unknown persons.
~~~~~~~~~Mo’in Mohammadi again sentenced to prison
HRANA, April 2021. –
A Revolutionary Court in Yazd has sentenced Mo’in Muhammadi (معین محمدی) to 19 months and 16 days in prison, based on a case file for which he has already been tried, sentenced, had his sentence reduced by the Review Court to electronic monitoring by wearing a tracking bracelet for one year, and has served out that penalty. The trial judge in the resentencing is Amir-Hossein Qarehqaani (قاضی امیرحسین قره قانی).
He was arrested by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence on January 9, 2019. At the end of March he was sentenced to six years in prison by the Revolutionary Court in Yazd, and was released on bail on April 10. In July, the Review Court for the Province of Yazd reduced his sentence, for “propaganda against the regime” to one year of electronic surveillance by wearing a tracking bracelet. He was required to remain within the city of Yazd and the associated industrial park where he works. The Review Court acquitted him of another charge of membership of groups opposed to the regime.
The Prosecutor objected to the Review Court’s decision and the case was re-tried in Iran’s Supreme Court, which overturned the Review Court decision and returned the case to the Revolutionary Court where the Judge has sentenced him to the maximum penalty for membership of groups opposed to the regime — 31 months and 16 days — but has deducted the 12 months he wore an ankle bracelet to give a sentence of 19 months and 16 days. The Revolutionary Court also sentenced him to 7 months and 16 days for propaganda against the regime, but this time is not added to his sentence because the two sentences are concurrent, as usual under Iranian law. Mr. Mohammadi was not aware of the Prosecutor’s objection or the Supreme Court trial, and was therefore not represented or defended. The Supreme Court’s decision has not been formally notified, let alone explained.
~~~~~~~~~Eight Bahais free on furlough in Bandar Abbas
HRANA, April 15, 2021. –
Arash Raasekhi (آرش راسخی), Omid Afaaqi (امید آفاقی), Mehrollah Afshaar (مهرالله افشار), Nasim Qanawaateyaan (نسیم قنواتیان), Adib Haqq-pazhuh (ادیب حق پژوه), Farhaad Amri (فرهاد امری), Maaraal Raasti (مارال راستی) and Mahnaaz Jaan-Nethaar (مهناز جان نثار) were released from prison on April 14. They began their one and two-year sentences in late February and early April, and the report does not indicate why they would be granted furlough so soon. A previous report on Sen’s Daily has details of their trials and sentences.
~~~~~~~~~Another home raided in Shiraz
HRANA, April 8, 2021. –
On April 7, security agents raided the home of William Momtaaziyaan (ویلیام ممتازیان) in Shiraz, confiscating a computer hard drive, mobile telephones, electronic equipment and Bahai books. Mr. Momtaaziyaan is the father-in-law of Soroush Abaadi (سروش آبادی), one of seven Bahais arrested in home raids in Shiraz on April 6.
~~~~~~~~~Four Bahai women go to jail in Mashhad
HRANA, April 6, 2021. –
Nika Paakzaadaan (نیکا پاکزادان), Saanaaz Es-haaqi (ساناز اسحاقی), Nakisa Hajipour (نکیسا حاجی پور) and Noghmeh Dhabihayan (نغمه ذبیحیان) began their one-year sentences in Mashhad’s Vakil-Abaad prison on April 6. These four were arrested, tried and sentenced in a group of five: Faraaneh Daaneshgari (فرانه دانشگری) is not mentioned in this report. The five were arrested on November 13, 2015, at the same time as agents from the Ministry of Intelligence also arrested 15 other Bahais in Tehran and Isfahan, and Bahai-run businesses were closed down in Mazandaran Province. Judge Baagh-dehi (قاضی باغ دهی), sitting in the Revolutionary Court in Mashhad on 28 September, 2019, sentenced them to one year in prison and the Review Court for Khorasan Province confirmed the prison terms in late December.
~~~~~~~~~Seven arrests in Shiraz
HRANA, April 7, 2021. –
Sa`id Ettehaad (سعید اتحاد), Qaasem Ma`sumi (قاسم معصومی), Siyaamak Honavar (سیامک هنرور), Soroush Abaadi (سروش آبادی), Sadiqeh Aqdasi (صدیقه اقدسی) and `Aliyyeh Farutan (عالیه فروتن) were arrested in home raids in Shiraz on April 6, and Farzandi Ardakaani (فرزندی اردکانی) was arrested the previous evening. During the raids, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence seized their personal effects such as books and electronic devices. They were arrested and taken to a detention centre. Soroush Abaadi was one of three Bahais arrested on October 21, 2019: it was later claimed that the three Bahais were holding a religious ceremony intended to eclipse the Arba’een Pilgrimage in Karbala. [!]
~~~~~~~~~Nine Bahais summoned to prison in Andisheh and Karaj
HRANA, April 8, 2021. –
Mr. Houman Khoushnam (هومن خوشنام), Mrs. Ilhaam Salmaanzaadeh (الهام سلمانزاده), Mr. Payaam Sha’baani (پیام شعبانی ), Mr. Keyaanush Salmaanzaadeh (کیانوش سلمانزاده), Mr. Soroush Agaahi (سروش آگاهی), Parvaan Ma`navi (پروان معنوی), Mrs. Jamileh Paakrou (جمیله پاکرو), Mr. Paymaan Ma’navi (پیمان معنوی) and Mrs. Neda Shabaani (ندا شبانی) have been summoned to report to prison within five days to serve one-year sentences. [In this HRANA report, Mr. Sha’baani is mentioned as Payaam Shabaani (پیام شبانی).] They are Bahais from Karaj and Andisheh. They were charged with propaganda against the regime through activity and propaganda for the Bahais. They were arrested in September and November, 2018, and the trial was held on July 27, 2019, and sentences were announced on August 6. The trial judge was Judge Panahi (قاضی پناهی). The Provincial review court that confirmed their sentences was headed by Judge Seyyed-Ahmad Zargar (قاضی سید احمد زرگر) and Counsellor ‘Abbaas-`Ali Houzaan (عباسعلی حوزان). It was Judge Zargar who confirmed the outrageous 10-year sentence handed down to the Bahai scholar and translator Faruq Izadinia (فاروق ایزدی نیا ), and the five-year sentence of Samin Maqsudi (ثمین مقصودی).
At the time of their arrest, agents searched the homes of some of these detainees and seized personal belongings, including books, computers, laptops and mobile phones. The business premises of some of them were also sealed after their arrest.
~~~~~~~~~Maaraal Raasti and Mahnaaz Jaan-Nethaar begin their sentences
HRANA, April 3, 2021. –
Maaraal Raasti (مارال راستی) and Mahnaaz Jaan-Nethaar (مهناز جان نثار) were taken to Bandar Abbas prison begin their sentences on April 3. They were among the eight Bahais who, as previously reported, were summoned in late February.
~~~~~~~~~Four Bahais from Varamin re-sentenced in Tehran
HRANA, March 12, 2021. –
A Revolutionary Court in Tehran, under Judge Muhammad-Reza Amouzad (قاضی محمدرضا عموزاد), has sentenced Mrs. Mona Mehraabi (مونا محرابی), Elhaam Karam-Pisheh (الهام کرم پیشه), Afsaaneh Yaadgaar-Ardestaani ( افسانه یادگار اردستانی) and Mr. Ehsaan-Allah Yaadgaar-Ardestaani (احسان الله یادگار اردستانی). These Bahais all live in Varamin, Tehran Province. In September or October 2018, they were sentenced by a revolutionary court in Tehran, in a secret trial without a hearing or defence. This trial was not reported on Sen’s Daily. The court has since agreed to a retrial, and has announced sentences of three years each, in place of the original five years. They were charged with membership of illegal organisations with the aim of undermining state security. Two other Bahais were sentenced to five years in the secret trial of 2018: Safa Forqani-Araani (صفا فرقانی ارانی)
and Mehrdaad Forqani-Araani (مهرداد فرقانی ارانی), but no reduction of sentence for them is mentioned in this report. In his ruling, the Judge says that the accused identified impoverished people and children who were abused or deprived of schooling, and gave them education, and that they made brochures for the Red Crescent (Red Cross) and International Children’s Day.Mrs. Elhaam Karam-Pisheh and Mona Mehraabi were arrested on February 16, 2015, in a raid on a meeting in Tehran where six Bahais were present. All were separately interrogated in the house, and the two women were arrested in accordance with a warrant and taken away in a car from the Ministry of Intelligence. During the search, which lasted five hours, all the books, pictures and religious symbols of those present, as well as computers, laptops, tablets and mobile phones, were seized. One report adds that the officers demanded that those present should sign undertakings not to participate in Bahai meetings. Mr. Ehsaan Yaadgaar was arrested in a neighbouring home at the same time, and again religious materials were seized, along with some gold coins. He was told to present himself to the public prosecutor’s office in Varamin (the capital of Varamin County in Tehran Province). He did so, and was released after several hours. He was again arrested in early March, 2015, and taken to Evin Prison for questioning before being released. Mrs. Safa Forqani-Araani was arrested in a raid on her home [apparently in Tehran] on February 17, 2015, and her father Mehrdaad was arrested at his home in Varamin an hour later.
During these raids a number of other Bahais in Tehran were questioned, but they are not mentioned in this report.
~~~~~~~~~Iran to tighten repression of Bahais and Sufis in Mazandaran Province
HRANA, March 10, 2021. –
A leak of confidential documents has revealed that a meeting of representatives from nine of Iran’s security organisations, together with officials from government departments, held in Sari on September 3 last year, decided to tighten the repression of Bahais and Sufis in Mazandaran Province. The activities of Bahais in the bazaar (in the economy) and in private meetings are to be more tightly controlled. The Directors of primary and secondary schools in Sari County are tasked with identifying Bahai pupils and attracting them to Islam, while the heads of tertiary education in the County are required to ensure that the exclusion of Bahais from tertiary education is enforced. The head of the Ministry of Industry and Mining was tasked with controlling the activities of Bahais in the bazaar. Such a high-level meeting confirms anecdotal evidence that Bahai and Sufi communities are growing in Iran, to the extent that they are seen as a threat.
~~~~~~~~~5-year sentences confirmed for Sufeya Mobini and Negin Tadrisi
HRANA, March 2021. –
The Review Court for Tehran Province has confirmed the five-year prison sentences of Sufeya Mobini and Negin Tadrisi. They were initially sentenced in the Revolutionary Court by Judge Muhammad-Reza Amouzad (قاضی محمدرضا عموزاد). For the details see a previous report on this blog.
~~~~~~~~~Confiscation of assets from Bahais in Bandar Lengeh
HRANA, February 23, 2021. –
The business, homes and bank accounts of two Bahais in the Southern port city of Bandar Lengeh have been confiscated by court order. The workshop and houses of Mohabatullah Thaabet (موهبت الله ثابت) and Erfaan Noahnezhaad (عرفان نوح نژاد) were ordered to be seized following pressure from the “security office” [ie, agent of the Ministry of Intelligence, ~ Sen] in the town’s Tax Department, and the levy of a substantial, and abnormal, fine on the Bahais. Their workshop, making composite beams, has been closed by the authorities since November, 2019, because of their Bahai beliefs. They had operated the workshop for five years prior to that, and had paid their taxes and kept accounts as required. The business of another Bahai in that town, Vahid Zaraa`at-Kaar (وحید زراعت کار), was also sealed at that time [presumably in relation to the celebration of the Birth of Baha’u’llah ~ Sen] and also remains sealed by the authorities.
~~~~~~~~~Eight Bahais summoned to prison in Bandar Abbas
HRANA, February 23, 2021. –
A Review Court has confirmed the sentences of eight Bahais from Bandar Abbas who were previously sentenced to jail and re-education, and on February 21 they were summoned to present themselves at prison within ten days. Arash Raasekhi (آرش راسخی), Nasim Qanawaateyaan (نسیم قنواتیان), Maaraal Raasti (مارال راستی), Mahnaaz Jaan-Nethaar (مهناز جان نثار), Omid Afaaqi (امید آفاقی) and Mehrollah Afshaar [previously reported as Ruhollah Afshaar (روح الله افشار)] were sentenced to two years in prison, while Adib Haqq-pazhuh (ادیب حق پژوه) and Farhaad Amri (فرهاد امری) were sentenced to one year in prison. In addition, all eight were given a two-year ban on membership of social and political parties and groups and attending Bahai meetings, and are required to attend five counselling sessions on “sects” under the supervision of the “Sajjadiyyeh” Institute (named after the fourth Imam, aka Zayn al-Abidin). The court also confiscated 30 million tumans in cash, two small pendants, a gold necklace, gold bracelet and gold ring, all with religious motifs, books, photo displays, statues and CDs. The eight were sentenced on December 12, 2020 in Branch Two of the Islamic Revolutionary Tribunal of Bandar Abbas, presided over by Judge ‘Ali Balaador (قاضی علی بلادر). They were charged with conspiracy to undermine national security, based on evidence that they had conducted children’s classes and youth classes for Bahai children, and music classes, and had attended a “Ruhi” study circle and collected donations [from Bahais] for the Bahai “Feasts” (community devotionals). On February 2, the Review Court for Hormouzgan Province, consisting of Judge Mash’allah Afshaarpour (قاضی ماشااله افشارپور) and Counsellor Ebraahim Mohammadi (مستشار ابراهیم محمدی), confirmed the sentences. The verdict of the Review Court does not mention any activities against national security, instead referring to the fact that the Bahai Faith [like Buddhism, Hinduism and many other religions] is not recognized in the Constitution of Iran.
~~~~~~~~~Three Bahais sentenced in Tehran Revolutionary Court
HRANA, February 21, 2021. –
Saeed Naasseri (سعید ناصری), his brother Hamid Naasseri ( حمید ناصری), and Afsaaneh Emaami (افسانه امامی), wife of Saeed Nasseri, have been sentenced by a Revolutionary Court in Tehran. Judge Mohammad-Reza Amouzaad ( قاضی محمدرضا عموزاد ) sentenced Mrs. Emami to three years in prison, and the two brothers to two years in prison, for membership of an illegal group intended to undermine national security. The same court had previously handed down these sentences in absentia and without a hearing, and now, after a hearing, has confirmed its own findings.
Afsaaneh Emaami (افسانه امامی) was arrested at her home on the evening of February 2, 2019. Agents searched her house thoroughly and confiscated her mobile phone, computer, books, and essays. Hamid Nasseri was arrested on the street in front of his business on March 11, 2019, and Saeed was arrested on the same day after going to the Evin detention center to inquire about the condition of his brother and wife.
She was released on bail of 500 million tumans ( 105,000 euros; $US 119,000 ) on March 16, 2019, and Saeed and Hamid were released for the same bail amount on April 18 and 24, respectively.
~~~~~~~~~Sentences confirmed for Bandar Abbas eight
Iran Wire, February 8, 2021. –
On February 2, the Review Court for Hormouzgan Province, consisting of Judge Mash’allah Afshaarpour (قاضی ماشااله افشارپور) and Counsellor Ebraahim Mohammadi (مستشار ابراهیم محمدی), confirmed the sentences of eight Bahais previously sentenced by a Revolutionary Court in Bandar Abbas. Arash Raasekhi (آرش راسخی), Nasim Qanawaateyaan (نسیم قنواتیان), Maaraal Raasti (مارال راستی), Mahnaaz Jaan-Nethaar (مهناز جان نثار), Omid Afaaqi (امید آفاقی) and Mehrollah Afshaar (مهراله افشار) [previously reported as Ruhollah Afshaar (روح الله افشار)] to two years in prison, while Adib Haqq-pazhuh (ادیب حق پژوه) and Farhaad Amri (فرهاد امری) were sentenced to one year in prison. In most cases, Provincial Review Courts simply check that the severity of sentences is in line with sentencing norms, but in this case the Court appears to have heard a legal appeal, as the Court’s judgement states: “No group whose formation and activity are not in accordance with the laws, and which has been proven to act against national security, is permitted to operate and their activities will be considered to undermine security. The existence and activity of the errant Bahai group does not comply with any of the examples of recognized parties, communities or religious minorities in Article 22 of the Constitution. Therefore, their appeal is not recognized and the [Revolutionary] Court’s ruling was issued in accordance with sharia and codified laws …”.
The eight were sentenced on December 12, 2020 in Branch Two of the Islamic Revolutionary Tribunal of Bandar Abbas, presided over by Judge ‘Ali Balaador (قاضی علی بلادر). They have also been barred from membership in political and social organizations and from holding Bahai community “Feasts” and gatherings for two years. They must also undergo five sessions of counseling on sectarian issues under the supervision of lecturers at the Sajjadieh Institute of Islamic Thought in Bandar Abbas, and if they do not comply, their deferred sentences will be increased by a third and may be actuated together with a fine. The Sajjadiyyeh Institute (named after the fourth Imam, aka Zayn al-Abidin) was established in December 2016 with the aim of reviving and disseminating Shiite religious teachings. Students are sent abroad to propagate the ideals of Imam Sajjad and, according to Director Hojatoleslam Mohammad Ali Labkhandan, its envoys have been active in no fewer than 26 countries and have held congresses in Honduras, Colombia, and Myanmar. In short, the Institute does the very thing that the eight Bahais were accused of.
The eight are being made to attend these sessions in order to have their beliefs scrutinized and denigrated. This sentence is itself also a clear violation of the twenty-third principle of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which states: “Enquiry into beliefs is prohibited and no one shall be subjected to belligerence and interrogation because of having a belief.”
~~~~~~~~~Five Bahai women begin 1-year sentences in Mashhad
Iran Wire, February 3, 2021. (with Persian report) –
Five Bahai women from Mashhad have been summoned to the city’s Vakilabad Prison to begin serving their sentences. They are are Noghmeh Dhabihayan (نغمه ذبیحیان), Nakisa Hajipour (نکیسا حاجی پور), Nika Paakzaadaan (نیکا پاکزادان), Faraaneh Daaneshgari (فرانه دانشگری) and Saanaaz Eshaaqi (ساناز اسحاقی). Each has been give a one-year sentence on charges of “propaganda against the regime through propagation of the Bahai Faith.” The sentences were handed down in September 2019 in the Revolutionary Court by Judge Baghdehi (قاضی باغ‌دهی), who has a track record of issuing custodial sentences to Iranian Bahais for no reason other than their faith. The sentences were confirmed by the Review Court around December 25, 2020.
The summonses were issued on January 28 and each of the five women has been given 10 days to report for imprisonment. This comes at the same time as a severe outbreak of coronavirus at Vakilabad Prison, and also amid a recent wave of persecution of Bahais and members of other ethnic and religious minorities in Iran.
~~~~~~~~~Touraj Amini begins his 6-month sentence
HRANA, January 30, 2021. –
On January 29, Bahai researcher and author Touraj Amini ( تورج امینی) was summoned to the Prosecutor’s office and taken to Karaj Central Prison, near Tehran, to begin his six-month sentence. He was originally sentenced by the Revolutionary Court in Karaj to one year in prison and two years of exile from the city, but this was reduced by the Alborz Provincial Review Court. On August 4, 2019, security forces searched his home, seizing books and notes and a laptop, and he was previously detained for a short time, in March 2008. He was charged with “propaganda against the regime,” although his books were cited as evidence, and they relate to the Qajar and Pahlavi periods, not the present regime.
His books include one on the role of religious minorities in the Constitutional Revolution of 1906-1911; “The Hidden Awakening” (رستاخیز پنهان), on the relationship between Iranians intellectuals and the Babi and Bahai Faiths; a five-volume collection of source documents relating to the Bahais in Iran, and a volume of “Documents of Contemporary Zoroastrians of Iran.”
~~~~~~~~~Three Bahais sentenced in Tehran
HRANA, January 29, 2021. –
Mrs. Marvash `Adaalati `Ali-Abaadi (مهوش عدالتی علی آبادی), who in previous reports was named as Mahvash `Adaalati-Za’iri (مهوش عدالتی (زائری), Mrs. Sepideh Keshaavarz (سپیده کشاور) and Mr. Farid Ismaa`ili (فرید اسماعیلی) have been sentenced to three years and seven months in prison by a Revolutionary Court in Tehran. They were tried around January 1 this year. The Judge, Muhammad-Reza Amouzad (قاضی محمدرضا عموزاد), issued his verdict on January 10, but the accused were only informed in the past few days. This sentence refers to the charge of “collusion intended to undermine national security by conducting Bahai activities.” They were also found guilty of “propaganda against the regime in the form of teaching and spreading the Bahai Faith,” and sentenced to eight months. However if the sentenced are confirmed by the Review Court, they will serve only the longer sentence.
The home of Mrs Mahvash `Adaalati-Za’iri (مهوش عدالتی (زائری)) in Tehran was searched by security forces for three hours on November 20, 2018, with the seizure of Bahai books and other personal effects, and she was summoned to Evin Prison for interrogation on November 26, and arrested after two hours of interrogation. Interrogations continued in the following days, and she was released on bail on November 29.
The home of Farid Ismaa`ili (فرید اسماعیلی) was raided on the same day. Agents seized his mobile telephone, laptops and books and images relating to the Bahai Faith. They left a summons requiring him to report to Evin Courthouse in Tehran. According to the latest HRANA report he was released on bail the following day: I have no previous record of that.
~~~~~~~~~Mazhdeh Eqteraafi and Houshmand Taalebi bailed at last
HRANA, January 24, 2021. –
Mazhdeh Eqteraafi (مژده اقترافی) and her husband Houshmand Taalebi (هوشمند طالبی), Bahais from Vilashahr, were released from prison in Isfahan on January 24. They have been detained since August 23, 2020. After their arrest, officers went to the Bahai couple’s home and searched it, confiscating laptops, cell phones, books, and an acoustic “Dastgah” keyboard. Two cars and a truck belonging to the family were also confiscated. During their interrogation, they were charged with propaganda against the regime and links to foreign governments.
~~~~~~~~~Sufeya Mobini’s sentence reduced to five years
HRANA, January 21, 2021. –
In an unusual step, a Revolutionary Court in Tehran has reduced the sentence of Sufeya Mobini (سوفیا مبینی), from ten years to five years. This is not a Review, but the correction of an administrative error within the Revolutionary Court system. Her sentence, and Negin Tadrisi’s (نگین تدریسی) five-year sentence in the same case, will still be considered by the Provincial Review Court, which reviews all the findings of the Revolutionary Courts, and often reduces the sentences. The accused are usually free on bail until the Review Court has spoken. The correction in this case was made by Judge Muhammad-Reza Amouzad (قاضی محمدرضا عموزاد). The initial 10-year sentence, handed down by the notorious Judge Moqayeseh ( قاضی محمد مقیسه ), was based on Article 498 of the Islamic Penal Code, which provides for a maximum of ‘only’ five years’ imprisonment for “acting against national security” [i.e., commemorating a birth that took place 200 years ago ! Mrs Mobini and Tadrisi were arrested by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence in October 2017, during the bicentenary celebration of the Birth of Baha’u’llah, the Prophet Founder of the Bahai Faith.].
The precise charges in this case are “acting against national security by administering the Bahai organisation and promoting its teachings.” In his ruling, Judge Moqayeseh had also accused them of paying the tuition for an Afghani student to attend language classes, of giving counselling regarding behavioural, sexual and economic awareness, and of writing in a personal journal that “the people in this region need education.”
~~~~~~~~~Two more Bahais barred from universities
HRANA (twice), January 2021. –
In two separate items, HRANA has reported that Mahsa Foruhari (مهسا فروهری), a Bahai student from Karaj, and Sima Fattaahi-Mirshekaarlu (شیما فتاحی میرشکارلو), a Bahai studying in Urmia (Urumiyyeh), have been barred from tertiary education because of their Bahai beliefs. Ms. Foruhari registered for the tenth consecutive year for entrance to tertiary education with exemption from the University Entrance examination. This exemption is available to those with good academic records, and her average was just over 19 [out of 20, presumably]. Nevertheless she was rejected for “incomplete file” – the usual term used when students are excluded because of Bahai beliefs. After the most recent University Entrance examination, HRANA reported 21 other cases of Bahais excluded from university for “incomplete file.”
Ms. Fattaahi, who began a Master’s degree in International Law at Urmia Azad University about two years ago, received a message on the university website on January 17, saying that she was barred from defending her dissertation and continuing postgraduate studies because of her adherence to the Bahai Faith. This message refers to a letter dated December 29, 2099 regarding the the exclusion of Bahai students and the expulsion of Ms. Fattaaahi. The report does not explain who wrote the letter: implicitly it comes from the Ministry of Intelligence to the University.
~~~~~~~~~House raid in Karaj
HRANA, January 12, 2021. –
On January 11, security forces raided the home of Tina `Alevi-`Enayatipour (تینا علوی عنایتی پور), a Bahai from Karaj, and seized her mobile phone, computer and work tools. She sells jewelry.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For older news, see the “old news” archive.
News to Sept 2
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