2017 1 to 6

January to June, 2017.

Two arrests in Shahinshahr

Iran Press Watch, June 16, 2017.

On 13 June, 2017, Noushin Salekian and Farideh Abdi, two Bahais of the city of Shahinshahr, Isfahan Province, were detained by authorities. An informed source confirmed the news to HRANA reporters, stating, “Yesterday afternoon, Noushin Salekian and Farideh Abdi, two Bahai residents of Shahinshahr, reported to a branch of the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Shahinshar following a previously issued notice of 11 June. Subsequently, after two hours of interrogation, they were arrested and transferred to the Dolatabad prison, where the female prisoners are held.” They were charged with “acting against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.”
[I have not been able to check the IPW report against Persian sources ~Sen]
~~~~~~~~~

Four Bahais released on bail in Bandar Abbas

Bahai News (Persian), June 14, 2017.

Maral Rasti (مارال راستی) and Mahnaz Jannethar-Pourmaradeyan (مهناز جانثار( پورمرادیان)) were released from the central prison of Bandar Abbas on June 14. Two days earlier, Mehran Afshar (مهران افشار), whose name was previously reported as Mehrollah Afshar (مهراله افشار), was also released on bail. They were among seven Bahais arrested in Bandar Abbas on April 18. Mr. Adib Haqqpazhouh (ادیب حق پژوه) was released on bail on June 12. He was arrested in Shiraz on April 17, and transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence detention facilities in Bandar Abbas on April 19. All four were held for lengthy interrogations by the Ministry of Intelligence before being transferred to the central prison. Bail in all four cases was 120 million tumans (35,000 euros ; $US 37,000).
~~~~~~~~~

Nine Bahais begin prison terms in Golestan Province

Iran Press Watch, June 16, 2017.

At least nine Bahai residents of Golestan Province have been detained by authorities to begin their prison sentences. An informed source, while confirming the news, told the HRANA reporter: “These citizens, who were sentenced to imprisonment with other Bahais in 2015, were arrested today either by agents visiting their residence or while presenting themselves at the prison.” The source was referring to twenty-four Baha’i residents of Gorgan, Gonbad-e Kavous, and Minoodasht, who had been sentenced in 2015 to a total of 193 years in prison by Golestan province Revolutionary Court in the preliminary phase. Individual sentences were reduced on appeal.

On Tuesday, June 13, 2017, Mariyam Dehqan Yazdeli (مریم دهقان یزدلی), Mojdeh Zohori-Fahandezh (مژده ظهوری (فهندژ)), Farah Tebyanian-Sana’i (فرح تبیانیان (ثنائی) ) and Houshmand Dehqan Yazdeli (هوشمند دهقان یزدلی) were arrested in their homes and taken to prison to begin their sentences. On the same day three others, Sheida Qoddusi (شیدا قدوسی), Pouneh Sana’i-Taymori (پونه ثنائی( تیموری)) and Nazi Tahqiqi (نازی تحقیقی) presented themselves to authorities after being summoned by the office of the Ministry of Intelligence to begin their sentences. After these arrests, Parisa Shahidi ( پریسا شهیدی ) and Mitra Nouri ( میترا نوری ) turned themselves into prison. Other reports state that similar visits to the homes of several Bahais in the Province have taken place, and the number of detainees is likely to increase. Details of seven of the detainees’ verdicts follow:

Maryam Dehqan Yazdeli: One year and six months imprisonment
Mojdeh Zohori-Fahandezh: One year and nine months imprisonment
Sheida Qoddusi: Initial sentence 11 years imprisonment; sentencing information from appeal is unknown at this time.
Pouneh Sana’i-Taymori: One year and nine months imprisonment
Nazi Tahqiqi: One year and six months imprisonment
Parisa Shahidi-Kashani: One year and nine months imprisonment
Mitra Nouri: One year and six months imprisonment.

Farhad Fahandezh (husband of Mojdeh Zohori), Farahmand Sana’i (husband of Farah Tebyanian, brother of Pouneh Sana’i), and Kamal Kashani (husband of Parisa Shahidi) are serving their sentences in Rajai Shahr Prison. Parsia Shahidi and Kamal Kashani have a 14-year-old son, Farid, who now has both parents in prison.

Recently ten human rights organisations submitted a joint statement to the European Union, demanding immediate action to prevent further harassment of Bahai citizens, and abolition of their prison sentences issued by the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This letter referred specifically to the recent challenges of the Baha’i residents of Golestan province.
~~~~~~~~~

Seven Bahai youth sentenced in Isfahan

Bahai News (Persian), reports on June 7 and June 8.

On June 1, sentences were announced for Parvin Nik-A’in(پروین نیک آیین), `Arsheya Rouhani (عرشیا روحانی) and Adib Janamian (ادیب جانمیان), who will serve 1 year in prison, followed by a 16-month sentence that is suspended for two years. Zarin Aqa-Baba’i (زرین آقابابایی), Vahid Karami (وحید کرمی) and Keyvan Nik-A’in (کیوان نیک آیین) were sentenced to six months in prison plus a 6-month sentence that is suspended for 2 years. The suspended sentences mean, in effect, two years of probation. They were tried in Isfahan on May 6 by Judge Ravanmehr (قاضی روانمهر). They were charged with propaganda against the regime (by teaching the Bahai Faith), to the benefit of groups opposed to the Islamic Republic, and with membership of Bahai organisations and undermining national security. The sentence mentioned the fact that the World Centre of the Bahai Faith is in Israel, and mentioned that the four were in possession of many Bahai books and CDs. They are among 16 Bahais arrested in raids on Bahai homes conducted by the Ministry of Intelligence in Isfahan, Tehran and Mashhad on November 15, 2015. They are presently free on bail: the original amount of bail has been increased as further charges were laid, and the total amount for the first four is now 1.2 billion tumans (330,000 euros, $US 370,000) (although a previous report said it was 1.2 billion rials, one tenth of this figure).
~~~~~~~~

Murderers of Farhang Amiri released on bail

Bahai International Community, June 13, 2017.

The two murderers of Mr. Farhang Amiri, a Bahai who was stabbed to death in September 2016 in Iran, have been released on bail after having confessed to killing him because of his faith. Mr. Amiri, 63, was murdered outside his home on 26 September 2016 in the city of Yazd, where his family had long resided. On the evening of the murder, the two men, who had come to his residence the night before under the pretense of wanting to purchase his vehicle, returned to ask for Mr. Amiri. When he came to the door, they violently stabbed him multiple times.

The two murderers, who are brothers, were apprehended by local shopkeepers as they tried to run away and were delivered to the police. During their subsequent interrogations and court hearings, they admitted to having killed Mr. Amiri because he was a Bahai.

They disclosed that they were prompted to carry out this act by their religious beliefs and statements made by clerics that Bahais are against Islam. The father of the two men is reported to have complained about a cleric who is responsible for radicalizing his two sons.

“We wanted to kill a Bahai,” said one of the brothers when asked about the reason behind the murder. “I had heard that Bahais are Muslims who have turned away from Islam, and they are apostates, and that the shedding of their blood is a meritorious deed.”

“Our aim was to kill a Bahai, it did not matter who it was,” stated the other brother during another interrogation. The brothers even stated during interrogations that they would kill someone else upon release.

Despite the admission of murder, the court has now released the two men on bail.
~~~~~~~~~~

Navid Khanjani’s prison term extended

Iran Press Watch, June 11, 2017.

Navid Khanjani (نوید خانجانی) was due for release from Rajai Shahr prison on June 6, 2017, on completion of his five-year prison sentence, but while he and his family were waiting for his release, he was informed by judicial authorities, without a prior notice, that his one-year sentence from a different case was being implemented immediately and he would remain in prison.

Mr. Khanjani’s original 12-year conviction was due to his peaceful activities in defending human rights and the right to education. With the implementation of Article 134 of the Penal Code the charges against him were integrated, and he was sentenced to five years in prison with a release date on June 6, 2017.

Mr. Khanjani was arrested the first time on March 1, 2010, by the Ministry of Intelligence and was released on bail after about two months of interrogation and solitary confinement. On December 20, 2010, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Yahya PirAbassi (قاضی یحیی پیرعباسی), sentenced him on the following charges:

+ Spreading false news,
+ Disturbing public opinion,
+ Propaganda against the Islamic Republic through disseminating news reports,
+ Appearing in interviews with foreign TV and radio stations,
+ Membership of the Central Council of the Human rights Reporters Committee,
+ Establishing the “Deprived of Education” group

The initial sentencing was for up to twelve years in prison and the equivalent of $124 fine. This sentence was upheld by the appeals court, but according to Article 134 of the new Islamic Penal Code, only five years of it was applicable. An informed source at the time of sentencing (February 2011) said that “During the trial, the lawyer’s defense was basically not considered.” Mr. Khanjani, has not been allowed any furlough since his detention in August 2012.

Mr. Khanjani’s one-year sentence is due to another case known as the “Sarand Camp Case.” He was one of 35 civil society activists, critical of the government, who had gone to Varzaghan in East Azarbaijan on August 11, 2012 to help the earthquake victims. They were arrested by the police and their camp was shut down. Most of the activists were released, but due to his existing sentence of 12 years, Mr. Khanjani remained in custody.

Mr. Khanjani, a 30-year-old Bahai, is a former member of the “Human Rights Activists,” “Human Rights Reporters Committee,” and founder of ” The Association Opposing Educational Discrimination.”
~~~~~~~~~

Three students expelled for Bahai beliefs, Farzan Ma`sumi denied his Diploma

Editorial compilation, June 1, 2017.

Bahai News reports that Wafa Hoveida’i (وفا هویدایی), who was in the second semester of an undergraduate degree in the Department of Physics and Energy Engineering, has been expelled from Amir Kabir Polytechnic University because of his Bahai beliefs. He learned of the expulsion when his user’s page on the University’s site was blocked. When he made enquiries, university officials told him he had been expelled because he was a Bahai.

The same report says that Farzad Safa’i (فرزاد صفایی), who has completed 8 semesters of a degree in Industrial Metallurgy at the Free Islamic University of Ahwaz, was expelled in late May. He received a summons from the University Security office, and his user’s page on the University’s site was blocked.

In a separate report, Bahai News says that Wessal Leqa’i-far (وصال لقایی فر) a student of Chemical Engineering, was expelled at the end of his seventh semester, when he resisted pressure from two officials from the Ministry of Education to renounce the Bahai Faith. At the end of his fourth semester he was also blocked, and in response to his enquiries the university officials told him this was because he was a Bahai. After repeated follow-ups he was able to win a promise that he could complete two more semesters.

A third report from Bahai News states that officials at the Payam-e Nour University campus in Kavar (Fars Province) have refused to issue a graduation diploma to Farzan Ma`sumi (فرزان معصومی). He has completed the courses for a Bachelor in Political Science. The officials said they were acting on orders from the Bureau of Educational Assessments, and protests to the University would be fruitless. Farzan Ma`sumi was arrested on February 12, 2017, along with Farhad Sabet (فرهام ثابت), when their homes were searched and religious and non-religous books, mobile phones and computers were seized, along with family photos and religious images. He was released on bail on February 22.
~~~~~~~~~

Kamellia Bidelyan reports to prison for 18-month sentence

Bahai News (Persian), May 31, 2017.

Kamellia Bidelyan (کاملیا بیدلیان), a Bahai from Minudasht, reported to prison on May 31 to begin her 18-month sentence [presumably the Minudasht prison ~ sen]. Security forces attempted to arrest her a week previously, but since her neighbours objected they instead left a message that she should report today to the Ministry of Intelligence. Her husband Navid Mo`allem (نوید معلم) was arrested on March 12, in front of his place of business, and transferred to prison to begin his own 18-month sentence. The couple are among 22 Bahais detained on October 17, 2012, in a wave of arrests of Bahais in Gorgan and Minudasht.
~~~~~~~~~

Bahai-run business closed down in Karaj

Bahai News (Persian), May 21, 2017.

On April 13, 2017, ten officers from the Department of Sanctions arrived at the workplace of Farhad Samadani (فرهاد صمدانی), seized all his stock, including 528 spectacle frames, and sealed the business. They were intending to arrest him, but his physical health did not allow this — yet they took his car away with them. Although he had receipts for the purchase of the frames, including the payment of customs duty, his goods were confiscated and he was given a fine for the possession of “contraband” amounting to three times their value. The loss and fine amount to “40 million”, which if it is stated in tumans would be 11,000 euros or $US 12,300.
~~~~~~~~~

Samir Khalousi released on bail in Kerman

Bahai News (Persian), May 30, 2017.

Samir Khalousi (سمیر خلوصی) was released on bail from the central prison of Kerman on May 30, after 152 days in detention. He was held at first in the detention facility of the Ministry of Intelligence, and then in the central prison of Kerman. Bail was set at 70 million tumans (19,300 euros ; $US 21,600). His wife, who was also arrested and detained for a short time, is also free on bail, set at 100 million tumans. He has recently been tried on charges of propaganda against the regime and membership of Bahai organisations.

Samir Kahlousi was arrested on December 30, 2016, when five security agents entered his home by breaking down the door. They searched it thoroughly and seized a laptop, hard drive, smart phone and books. The raid is described as very violent: Mr. Khalousi was subject to two hours of interrogation and beating in his home, and was taken in handcuffs to the detention facilities operated by the Ministry of Intelligence. His arrest came 9 days after the arrest of Amrullah Khalqiyan (امرالله خالقیان), whose release on bail was reported here yesterday.
~~~~~~~~~

Amrullah Khalqiyan free on bail

Bahai News (Persian), May 25, 2017.

Amrullah Khalqiyan (امرالله خالقیان), a Bahai from Kerman, was released on bail on May 25, after 157 days of detention, first in the detention facility of the Ministry of Intelligence, and then in the central prison of Kerman.

He was arrested on the morning of December 21, 2016, along with his wife Fariba Rouhani (فریبا روحانی), who was released after a few hours’ questioning. On February 8, 2017, security forces in Kerman arrested three more Bahais: Ehsan Amiri-nia (احسان امیری نیا), Arman Bandi (آرمان بندی) and Nima Rajab-zadeh (نیما رجب زاده). On May 22, all four were tried in Kerman, on charges of undermining national security by promoting the Bahai Faith. The four were taken to the court in handcuffs and shackles. So far as I know, their sentences have not been announced.
~~~~~~~~~

Seven Bahai detainees moved to prison in Bandar Abbas

Bahai News (Persian), May 19, 2017.

In the past week, seven Bahai detainees who have been held for interrogation in the Ministry of Intelligence detention facility in Bandar Abbas since April 18 were moved to the central prison for Hormuzgan Province, which is also in Bandar Abbas.

Maral Rasti (مارال راستی) and Mahnaz Janethar-Pourmaradeyan (مهناز جانثار( پورمرادیان)) were transferred to the regular jail on May 15, while Nasim Qanawateyan (نسیم قنواتیان), Arash Rasekhi (آرش راسخی), Mehrollah Afshar (مهراله افشار), Farhad Amri-Hesari (فرهاد امری حصاری) and Omid Afaqi ( امید آفاقی) were moved on May 17. Four of the detainees, Maral Rashti, Mahnaz Janethar, Nasim Qanawateyan and Arash Rasekhi, have been allowed to meet their families for 20 minutes, and the others are likely to be allowed to meet their families soon.

The behaviour of local and provincial officials during the interrogation has been described as good, but the interrogators who travelled to Bandar Abbas from Tehran behaved badly, insulting the detainees.

Along with the detention of these seven Bahais in Bandar Abbas on April 18, Mr. Adib Haqqpazhouh (ادیب حق پژوه) was arrested in Shiraz on April 17, and transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence detention facilities in Bandar Abbas on April 19. It is assumed he is still being interrogated. The eight have been accused of undermining national security, membership of Bahai organisations and several other “crimes.”
~~~~~~~~~

Non-Baha’i shopkeepers in Noshahr call for the reopening of Bahai shops

Translation by Iran Press Watch, May 16, 2017.

Radio Zameneh reports on May 12 that
a group of Noshahr shopkeepers have written to the governor of the city of Noshahr in Mazandaran province (with a copy to the Prosecutor), demanding the removal of the seals placed on seven Bahai business units six months ago. No investigation has been performed during that time. The signatories say that the closure “causes skepticism towards Islamic practices and leads to economic downturn in the city.”

The shopkeepers wrote that according to Paragraph One of the Trade Union’s Guidelines, and Article 28 of the Executive Regulations, any trade unit closed without investigation should be reopened after six months, until the necessary

The shops were sealed by the Office of Properties on the morning of 01 November 2016, because the owners had temporarily closed businesses during the observance of Bahai Holy Days. According to the Iranian Trade Law, those with business licenses are allowed, by law, to close their units for 15 days per year, and should inform the Office of Properties of longer closures.

For the full report, see the translation by Iran Press Watch.
~~~~~~~~~

Two Bahai detainees released in Isfahan

Bahai News (Persian), May 17, 2017.

Sa`id Azimi ( سعید عظیمی ), a Bahai who was arrested in his home by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence on October 25, 2016, has been released on bail after more than 200 days in detention without trial.

Mohsen Mehrgani (محسن مهرگانی), who was arrested along with Manouchehr Rahmani (منوچهر رحمانی) in their home in Isfahan on January 24, has also been released, on bail, set at 500 million tumans. This would be over 130,000 euros if the report is correct, or one tenth of that if the amount is actually in rials, Iran’s official currency. He has been held for over three months, and because of his diabetes and the lack of insulin in prison, his health has suffered. Manouchehr Rahmani is still being detained.
~~~~~~~~~~

Farhad Eqbali released

Bahai News (Persian), May 16, 2017.

Farhad Eqbali ( فرهاد اقبالی ) a Bahai prisoner of conscience from Gorgan, has been released from Raja’i Shahr prison near Tehran where he has been serving a five-year sentence.

Mr. Eqbali was fired from his work in the poultry sector in July 2004, because of pressure on his employer from the Ministry of Intelligence. Under Iran’s apartheid system, Bahais are barred from working in most food-related sectors because they are regarded as “unclean.” He went on to study radiology at Shiraz University, but was expelled in his second year of study because of his Bahai beliefs. In November, 2012, he was one of about twenty Bahais, and some Muslims accused of associating with Bahais, who were arrested in Gorgan. He was quickly released on bail because of his heart condition. He was tried with 4 other Bahais on charges of propaganda against the regime, participation in Bahai activities and cooperation with foreign governments. His 5-year sentence was confirmed by the court of review on August 27, 2014, and he began his sentence in Gorgan on the same day. Soon after, he was transferred to Evin prison, in Tehran, and was moved to Raja’i Shahr prison in October, 2014.
~~~~~~~~~

18 Bahai-run businesses in Shahin Shah reopen

Bahai News, May 14, 2017.

The 18 Bahai-run businesses closed down by the authorities in Shahin Shahr, in Isfahan Province, on May 1 have been allowed to reopen by the Mayor’s office, effective from May 14.
~~~~~~~~

Secret order to close Bahai-run businesses in Mazandaran leaked

Bahai News (Persian), May 7, 2017.

Six months after the closure of 94 Bahai-run businesses in Mazandaran Province, the Provincial Council’s instruction to close them has been leaked to the Press. The businesses were sealed by the authorities after they had closed for business on November 1 and 2, 2016, when Bahais celebrated the birthdays of the religion’s founders, the Bab and Baha’u’llah, in 1819 and 1817 respectively. The Provincial Council. The order specifies that the business premises of members of the erroneous and misleading sect should be closed down, and that Bahais should not be allowed to close their business until further notice [sic]. The order claims that the Bahai sect was founded by the English and Zionists (the Bahai Faith actually predates Zionism, and the period when the English were influential in Iran).
~~~~~~~~~

Home search in Shiraz

Bahai News (Persian), May 6, 2017.

The home of Mr. Parsa Shaykhi (پارسا شیخی) and Mr. Mehran Mosallanejad (مهران مصلی نژاد) in Shiraz has been searched by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence, who had a search warrant. The report does not specify the date, which appears to be May 6. The agents seized books, images and electronic goods. They were told to be ready, in the next five days, to report to the Ministry’s Detention Facility 100 in Shiraz if summoned. Before going to the home of Parsa Shaykhi, the agents went to his father’s the workplace and took him along. The agents suggested that the search was in relation to supposed connection with and propaganda for Israel. Parsa Shaykhi is 21 years old and Mehran Mosallanejad is 18.
~~~~~~~~~

Six Bahais detained and interrogated in Sistan and Baluchestan Province

Bahai News (Persian), May 5, 2017.

On May 4, security forces in the small city of Chabahar, on the Gulf of Oman in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, security forces searched a Bahai home and issued summons to three Bahais living there: Manouchihr Barqi (منوچهر بارقی) and Bahadar Kamju (بهادر کامجو), who were present, and Fahemiyyeh Ashaqi (فهمیه اسحاقی) who was absent. All three were to report to the Ministry of Intelligence offices in Chabahar. The agents then went to their workplace and searched that and seized some of their personal belongings. These three were summoned and interrogated twice over the following days. Security forces also arrested three other Bahais in the Province: Houshang Mokhtari (هوشنگ مختاری), whose arrest in Saravan has already been reported, Bijan Eslami (بیژن اسلامی) and Ali Anvari (علی انوری). All three were released on Bail on May 5, after one day of interrogation.
~~~~~~~~~

House of Justice letter on political involvement

Editorial, May 6, 2017.

The National Spiritual Assembly of the United States has distributed a letter written on behalf of the House of Justice to an individual believer regarding political involvement. The file name (which may be given by the NSA) is “Guidance on social action and public discourse” which reflects the broad scope of the letter. The letter will be of especial interest not only to the Bahais in the United States, but to the Bahais in every country where the fever cycle of partisanship is peaking at the moment. While emphasizing the limits of political involvement for Bahais, the letter it is not silent on the recent resurgence of nationalisms in western countries, stating that “prejudice, factionalism, and virulent nationalism are the very negation of Baha’u’llah’s message of peace and oneness.” (paragraph 8)

I have placed a plain text copy of the letter, with paragraph numbers and links to the sources, in the documents archive of my Bahai studies blog.

Guidance on social action and public discourse

Among the notable points are the expected admonition to Baha’is not to vilify specific individuals, organizations, or governments (paragraph 2) in whatever we may have to say, and not to judge governments as “just or unjust – for each believer would be sure to hold a different viewpoint, and within our own Baha’i fold a hotbed of dissension would spring up and destroy our unity.” (paragraph 3) Yet Bahais “must also guard against the other extreme of never taking part … in conferences or committees designed to promote some activity in entire accord with our teachings.” (Paragraph 5)

The new letter refers to the 2 March 2013 message of the House of Justice to the Baha’is of Iran as setting out how Baha’is seek to effect social change. This letter is also online in my documents archive. This approach includes active involvement in the life of society as well as the possibility of influencing and contributing to the social policies of government by all lawful means. (Paragraph 4) In certain circumstances this can include taking part in demonstrations. (Paragraph 5), but demonstrations are not the only, or even the most effective, means available (paragraph 10). The fundamental partisanship in contemporary political life means policies are often implemented without building consensus (paragraph 7). Bahais are called to three overlapping areas of action: community-building. projects and activities for social action, and involvement in the discourses of society, (paragraph 12)

There is a distinction between activities that can be supported explicitly by Baha’i institutions and those where Baha’i institutions should not participate but individuals can make a personal decision to take part, without implying that they are representing the Bahai Faith (paragraph 6).

The letter is also interesting for containing the first explicit acknowledgement that I know of, that the unity of nations – like the Lesser Peace – was not achieved in the twentieth century, describing this an uncompleted project that has left dangerous gaps in international relations (paragraph 8).

Century’s end – my two cents

~~~~~~~~~

Number of Bahai businesses closed in Shahin Shahr reaches 18

Bahai News (Persian), May 3, 2017.

The number of Bahai-run businesses closed down by the authorities in Shahin Shahr, in Isfahan Province, has risen to 18. The closures all took place on May 1. The businesses all have operating licences which were shown to the Bureau of Public Places, the agency that has closed them down. A source stated that the majority of Bahai-run businesses in Shahin Shahr, a town with a population of 150,000, have been closed down.

The eighteen businesses are all in trades such as television repair, clothing or stationery, except for one seller of dried fruits and nuts. Under Iran’s apartheid system, Bahais may not work in cultural, educational or financial institutions, or in the sectors of periodicals, jewelry, watchmaking, print-making, tourist agencies, car rentals, publishing and bookshops, photography, film-making, internet gaming, computers, or internet cafes. They may not own printing works or hotels and other accommodation for travellers, or teach tailoring skills. Because of the widespread Iranian belief that Bahais are unclean, they are barred from working in restaurants, cafeterias and catering, food ingredients and foodstuff sales, takeaways, cafes, butchers shops, supermarkets, the production and sale of ice-cream, fruit juice, soft drinks, pastry and sweets, and coffee. (See an earlier explanation on this blog).
~~~~~~~~~

One arrest in Saravan

Bahai News (Persian), May 4, 2017.

Agents from the Ministry of Intelligence searched the home of a Bahai, Houshang Mokhtari (هوشنگ مختاری) in Saravan today, and arrested him. He was taken to the Ministry of Intelligence detention facility for the region. Later they searched his workplace as well.
~~~~~~~~~

Nine Bahai-run businesses shut by authorities in Shahin-Shahr

Bahai News (Persian), May 2, 2017.

Nine Bahai-run businesses in Shahin-Shahr, in Isfahan Province, have been closed down by the city’s Bureau of Public Places because they observed days of rest on the past week’s Bahai Holy days. The businesses are:
– a clothing business run by Mr. sa`id Qa’emi and Mrs Marjan Golshani (آقای سعید قائمی و خانم مرجان گلشنی)
– a hair-dresser’s run by Mr. Iraj Kushkaki (ایرج کوشککی)
– a retail supplies shop run by Mr. Hojjatollah Rouhani ( حجت الله روحانی)
– a dried fruit business run by Mr. Gulzar (گلزار )
– a mechanic’s business run by Mr. Ardavan Farougheyan (اردوان فروغیان)
– a rubber goods shop run by Mr. `Erfan Karamzadeh (عرفان کرمزاده)
– a sewing machine business run by Mr. Mial Azadi and Houssein Shaker (میلاد آزادی و حسین شاکر)
– a stationery shop run by Mr. Hakim and Mr. Navidi (آقایان حکیم و نویدی),
– a business selling burglar alarms and sports goods run by Puya Azadi (پویا آزادی).
Officers from the Bureau of Public Places went looking for Bahai-run businesses yesterday, asking for their business licences and other documents. They told the Bahais that next time they came, they would close the Bahai-run businesses. Today, the majority of the Bahai-run businesses have been closed down.

On June 23, 2016, the Universal House of Justice issued new guidelines for the observance of Bahai Holy Days in Iran, which allow for various compromises between the Bahais’ desire to close their businesses on the Holy Days and authorities’ desire to reduce the visibility of Bahais in commercial centres. For example, Bahais who have businesses could close the business one day before and one day after the Holy Day as well as on the Holy Day, they could leave the lights of a business turned on although nobody is working, or have a worker present although no trading is done. But the guidelines reject the idea of seeking official permission to close for a day, where this is neither provided for in legislation nor imposed on non-Bahais, since this would be to accede to government interference in the freedom of conscience.
~~~~~~~~~

Navid Mo`allem allowed a prison visit

Bahai News (Persian), April 30, 2017.

Navid Mo`allem (نوید معلم), a Bahai resident of Minudasht in Golestan Province who was arrested on March 13, has been allowed to meet his wife Kamellia Bidelyan (کاملیا بیدلیان) in prison, 48 days after his arrest. He and his wife were amnong 22 Bahais of Golestan Province who were arrested on October 17, 2012. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
~~~~~~~~~

Adib Haqqpazhouh transferred from Shiraz to Bandar Abbas

Bahai News (Persian), April 23, 2017.

Mr. Adib Haqqpazhouh (ادیب حق پژوه), a Bahai who was arrested in Shiraz on April 17, was transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence detention facilities in Bandar Abbas on April 19. He was able to see his wife and daughter in Shiraz before he was taken away. He suffers from a heart ailment. His transfer to Bandar Abbas suggests a link between his arrest and the arrests of seven Bahais in Bandar Abbas on April 18.
~~~~~~~~~

One-year sentences announced for 3 Mashhad Bahais

Bahai News (Persian), April 23, 2017.

Khoshayar and Shayan Tafazolli ( خشایار و شایان تفضلی ) and Sina Aqdas-zadeh ( سینا اقدس زاده ), Bahais from Mashhad, have been sentenced by Judge Mansouri (قاضی منصوری) to one year in prison on charges of propaganda against the regime. Shayan Tafazolli was among the eight Bahais arrested in February 2012, in relation to a handcrafts exhibition organised by Bahai youth in Mashhad. On July 11, 2012, security forces searched the homes of these three Bahais and arrested them. Sina Aqdas-zadeh was detained by the Ministry of Intelligence for 47 days, Shayan Tafazolli for 46 days, and Khoshayar Tafazolli for 23 days, before they were released on bail of 100 million tumans (at the time, 65,000 euros; 81,000 US dollars). They were tried in January this year, and the sentences were announced on April 22.

Shayan Tafazolli has been arrested on two other occasions, on February 17, 2012, when he was held for 66 days, and June 2, 2014.
~~~~~~~~~

Twin siblings expelled from two universities

Bahai News (Persian), April 22, 2017.

Two separate universities in Iran have expelled twin siblings, Shekib Muhammad-Alipour (شکیب محمدعلی پور) and his sister Shima Muhammad-Alipour (شیما محمدعلی پور), because of their Bahai beliefs. When Shima Muhammad-Alipour (-Dastgerdi) was filling in the enrollment forms for the School of Art and Architecture at the University of Kashan, she chose the option ‘other religion,’ but in the forms for accommodation she filled in “Bahai Faith.” On October 1, 2016, which was her first day at the University, she was summoned by the security office and her student card was taken away. She was told that she could apply to the national Office of Educational Assessment for permission to continue her studies, but several months have passed and she has received no reply.

Her brother Skekib was enrolled for a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering of the Khorramabad State University, in Lorestan Province, and gave his religion as “Bahai” on enrollment. At the end of the first term, when he found he had no grades for his courses, he discovered — via one of his teachers — that he had been expelled.
~~~~~~~~~

20 Bahais arrested in Yemen

Bahai News (Persian), April 19, 2017.

On April 18, twenty Bahais living in Sana’a, in Yemen, were arrested because of their Bahai beliefs. Four are women, the remainder men. In August, 2016, the authorities in Sana’a arrested 65 men, women, and children who were attending a youth training seminar organised by the Yemeni Baha’i community and sponsored by the Nida Foundation for Human Development. About half of them, who were not Bahais, and all the girls under 18, were released quickly. The Bahais were detained, but most were later released on bail. The women were well treated, but the men were tortured. Hamed Kamal Muhammad bin Haydara (حامد کمال بن حیدرا), who has been detained since December 3, 2013, has also been tortured to obtain a ‘confession.’
~~~~~~~~~

Seven arrests in Bandar Abbas

Bahai News (Persian), April 18, 2017.

On the morning of April 18, security agents arrested Mahnaz Janethar-Pourmaradeyan (مهناز جانثار( پورمرادیان)), Maral Rasti (مارال راستی), Farhad Amri (فرهاد امری), Arash Rasekhi (آرش راسخی), Mehrollah Afshar (مهراله افشار), Omid Afaqi ( امید آفاقی) and Nasim Qanawateyan (نسیم قنواتیان) in Bandar Abbas. They are believed to be detained in the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facilities. Their houses were thoroughly searched and religious and other books and images were seized, along with computers, laptops and mobile phones.

The report mentions that Mr. Adib Haqqpazhouh was arrested in Shiraz on the same day, but that there is no evidence so far that the eight arrests are connected.
~~~~~~~~~

Adib Haqqpazhouh arrested in Shiraz for the third time

Bahai News (Persian), April 18, 2017.

On April 17, four security agents went to the home of Mr. Adib Haqqpazhouh (ادیب حق پژوه) in Shiraz. Finding only his wife at home, they searched it and seized some personal belongings including books, personal and religious photographs, a mobile phone, some cheques from Mr. Haqqpazhouh’s customers and some cash and bookkeeping records. Meanwhile, two agents went to his workplace, which they searched, and brought Mr. Haqqpazhouh to the door of his home, where he was detained in his own car until the search of his home was complete. The agents are said to have been well behaved during the search. Mr. Haqqpazhouh was arrested previously, on December 30, 2010, and August 5, 2014. On both occasions he was later released on bail.
~~~~~~~~~

Azizollah Samandari released from prison

Bahai News, April 15, 2017.

Azizollah Samandari (عزیزالله سمندری) was released from Raja’i Shahr prison, near Tehran, on April 17. He has completed a five-year term on charges of membership of the Bahai community, creating and distributing a computer programme, and providing technical support for the Bahai Institute for Higher Education (BIHE). He was arrested on January 14, 2009, and released on bail two months later. He was sentenced to a five-year prison term by Judge Moqiseh (قاضی مقیسه), in October 2011 after a 10-minute trial, in which the only question he was asked was whether he belonged to the Bahai community. He began his sentence on July 7, 2012.

While he was in Raja’i Shahr prison, he was selected for the New Zealand Parliament’s “Supreme Commitment Award.” The Award flowed from his participation in the 2010 Global Enterprise Experience (GEE), which is supported by Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand. GEE founder Deb Gilbertson said, “The Supreme Commitment Award is to recognise the exceptional sacrifice he is making to pursue higher education and global communication.”

Mr Samandari’s father, Behman Samandari (بهمن سمندری), was executed for his Bahai beliefs following the 1979 Revolution. His grandfather, Hasan Mahbubi (حسن محبوبی), was killed when he was deliberately run down by a car, which has never been traced. He too is counted in Iran as a Bahai martyr.
~~~~~~~~~

Sima Keyani free on bail in Tehran

Bahai News (Persian), April 8, 2017.

Sima Keyani (سیما کیانی), a Bahai who was arrested in Rey (on the outskirts of Tehran) on the morning of March 8, has been released on bail of 200 million tumans (58,000 euros ; $US 61,000). Since her arrest she has been in solitary confinement in Evin Prison. At the time of her arrest, her home was also searched, and a pickup truck was used to take away her religious books, along with religious images and family photographs. Her place of detention is not yet known, but it is likely she would be taken to Evin prison.
~~~~~~~~~~

Sorur Forughi bailed in Yazd

Bahai News (Persian), March 28, 2017.

Sorur Forughi Mahdiabadi (سرور فروغی مهدی آبادی), a 69-year old resident of Yazd who was arrested in Tehran on February 21, has been released from Yazd prison on bail of 200 million tumans. She was taken from Tehran to Yazd on March 27. Her home in Yazd was then raided, before she was released on bail. Mrs. Forughi Mahdiabadi, who suffers from cancer and high blood pressure, had gone to Tehran to celebrate the marriage of her son, planned for February 23.
~~~~~~~~

Hate crime targets a Bahai in Oregon, USA.

Portland Tribune, March 29, 2017.

The Sheriff’s Office in Multnomah County, Oregon (USA) is investigating a hate crime reported on Tuesday, March 28, in Troutdale.

Hasel Afshar, 33, who was born in Iran but has lived in America since 2010, returned from a three-day vacation in Canada to find his two-story home on Southeast 26th Court ransacked, the walls coated in racist epithets. The graffiti calls Afshar a “terrorist” and orders the “Muslim” to “get out.” The vandals left a note on Afshar’s coffee table, weighed down with seven .45 caliber bullets arranged in the shape of a cross. ‘”If I see you here next month, I will shoot you and burn your house,'” the note reads, according to Afshar.

Afshar isn’t Muslim. He’s Baha’i. He doesn’t know how long it will take to clean up his home. Walls are covered in red paint, couch cushions deliberately torn and his belongings scattered.

In a week or two, once he finishes cleaning up, Afshar says he will sell his home and leave the United States. He has friends in Australia and Canada who he says never experience discrimination like this.

“I’m not going to be a hero and stay here and fight about it.” Afshar says. “I’m not going to sit here and wait for someone to shoot me.”

This isn’t the immigrant’s first experience with prejudice. In Iran, a Muslim-majority country, Afshar says police entered his family home, stole their books and arbitrarily arrested members of the Baha’i faith community. Later, after his arrival in the United States, Afshar says he was punched in the face while living in California, in what he describes as a racially motivated incident. He goes on to describe conflicts with a former supervisor at the Portland-based company where Afshar works as a machine operator, cutting out mailers and business cards.

More recently, Afshar says he was parking outside a Plaid Pantry when a man in a baseball cap pulled up in a white construction van. Get the (expletive) out of America! We don’t want you here,” the man shouted. That was on Tuesday morning, March 7. Afshar now wonders if the man followed him home.

The attack on his home has been widely reported in the media, and discussed on the social media. The Portland Tribune’s facebook page has received many messages of support for Afshar, and condemnation for the attack. On Thursday, Troutdale Mayor Casey Ryan issued a statement calling the incident “a horrible attack.”
~~~~~~~~~

Four (five) arrests in Isfahan

Bahai News (Persian), March 28, 2017 and update.

On the morning of March 28, security agents went to a home in Isfahan that is shared by four Bahais: Ehsan Eshtiyaq (احسان اشتیاق), Enayat Na`imi (عنایت نعیمی), Farzad Homayouni (فرزاد همایونی) and Soroush Pezeshki (سروش پزشکی), and arrested them. It is not known where they are being detained. Soroush Pezeshki has previously served a one year sentence, beginning in November 2010, although he was released on parole on April 27, 2011 after serving half of his sentence. Another Bahai in Isfahan, Ehsanullah Ishtiyaq (احسان الله اشتیاق) served the same sentence and was released with Mr. Pezeshki, and likewise Enayatollah Na`imi (عنایت الله نعیمی). It is very likely therefore that the arrestee named in this report as Ehsan Eshtiyaq is Ehsanullah Eshtiyaq, and that Enayat Na`imi is Enayatollah Na`imi: three veteran prisoners of conscience. I have no information about Farzad Homayouni.
Update: from a Radio Farda report, it appears that Mr. Sohrab Naqipour (سهراب نقی پور) was also arrested.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Liza Tebyanian free on bail in Karaj

Bahai News (Persian), March 27, 2017.

Liza Tebyanian Enayati (لیزا تبیانیان ( عنایتی) ) was freed on bail on March 26. She was arrested on March 16, and held in Raja’i Shahr prison. Further details can be found in the report of her arrest.
~~~~~~~~~

Shamim Na’imi released after 3 years in prison

Bahai News (Persian), March 17, 2017.

Shamim Na’imi ( شمیم نعیمی), a Bahai from Tehran, has been released from Raja’i Shahr prison at the end of a 3-year prison sentence. His mother Elham Faramani (الهام فراهانی) and his father `Adel Na`imi (عادل نعیمی) are both serving prison terms for their Bahai beliefs. Shamim Na’imi was among a group of almost 20 Bahais who were arrested in early July, 2012, in Tehran, Mashhad and Shiraz. He began his sentence on May 11, 2014, in Evin Prison, and was transferred to Raja’i Shahr, where many male Bahai prisoners and other prisoners of conscience are held, shortly after.
~~~~~~~~

Yekta Fahandezh-Sa`adi begins her prison sentence

Bahai News (Persian), March 26, 2017.

Yekta Fahandezh-Sa`adi (یکتافهندژسعدی), a Bahai from Shiraz, was arrested on March 19 and taken to Adel Abad prison to begin serving a 2-year sentence.

Miss Fahandezh-Sa`adi was one of fifteen Bahais arrested in Shiraz in 2010. On February 3, 2012, she was again arrested by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence and spent 82 days in the Ministry of Intelligence’s Detention Facility 100 in Shiraz. She was released on bail and later charged with propaganda against the regime and undermining national security. She was given a five-year suspended sentence, but was later acquitted by the Court of Review.

However she was arrested again by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence on March 16, 2014. The agents searched her home and seized books, a laptop and personal effects. She was transferred to Detention Facility 100 in Shiraz, and was detained for two months. On June 16, 2016 she was again tried and sentenced by Judge Doctor Sadati (دکتر ساداتی) to five years in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “collusion.” A month later, while waiting to begin serving this 5-year sentence, she was arrested again, and held for over 80 days in the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facilities in Shiraz, before her release on bail on October 4. In December, 2016, the Court of Review in Shiraz reduced her 5-year sentence to two years in prison and a three-year suspended sentence, but one informed source indicates that yet a third case against her is being prepared by the Ministry of Intelligence.
~~~~~~~~~~

Navid Moalem arrested in Minudasht

Iran Press Watch, March 23, 2017.

Based on a Bahai News report, Navid Moallem (نوید معلم), a Bahai resident of Minudasht in Golestan Province, was arrested on March 13, in front of his place of business, and transferred to prison. [The date and day of the week in the Persian report are inconsistent. March 10 and 17 are also possible dates.]

Based on this report, Mr. Moallem and his wife, Kamelia Bidelian (کاملیا بیدلیان) [also reported as Bideli / بیدلی], had previously been sentenced to one year and six-months imprisonment as part of a case named “Bahais Arrested in Golestan Province.”

According to informed sources: “Navid Moallem was arrested by security agents outside his business. The security agents went to his home to arrest his wife, Mrs. Camelia Bidelian. However, Mrs. Bidelian has not been arrested, as she was not home.” This informed source said: “The agents mentioned that Navid Moallemi has been transferred to prison merely to answer some questions.”

Another informed source has conveyed that within the past few days, security agents also went to the home of one of the other Bahais who has been sentenced to imprisonment, but he has not been arrested, since he was not home. Based on this report, security agents in this province are eager to implement the prison terms of those Bahai citizens who had previously been sentenced by the court of appeals.

During the original court hearing, 22 Bahais of Golestan Province who were , arrested on October 17, 2012 were sentenced to a total of 193 years of imprisonment. Following their hearings at the court of appeals, it was announced that Farah Tebyanian (فرح تبيانيان), Puna Sana’i ( پونه ثنایی), Mona Amri Hesari (مونا امري حصاري), Behnam Hassani (بهنام حسني), Parisa Shahidi ( پریسا شهیدی ), Mojdeh Zouhori (مژده ظهوري), Parivash Shoja`i ( پریوش شجاعی ), Tina Mauhabati ( تینا موهبتی ) and Hana Aqiqiyan (هنا عقیقیان), all from Gorgan; Shohreh Samimi (شهره صمیمی) from Minudasht; Bita Hedayati (بيتا هدايتي), Vesaq Sana’i ()وثاق سنايي and Hana Kushkabaghi ( هنا کوشکباغی ) from Gonbad-e Qabus had their prison sentences reduced from 9 years to one year and nine months. According to this report, the one year and nine month prison sentence of Tina Mohebati (تینا موهبتی) was later overturned, and she was sentenced to pay a three million tuman (approx US$925) fine.

Rufeya Pakzadan ( روفیا پاکزادان), Soudabeh Mehdinezhad ( سودابه مهدی نژاد ), Mitra Nouri ( میترا نوری ), Shiva Rouhani ( شیوا روحانی ), Houshmand Dehqan (هوشمند دهقان), Mariyam Dehqan (مريم دهقان) and Nazi Tahqiqi (نازي تحقیقی), all from Gorgan, along with Kamelia Bideli (کاملیا بیدلی) and Navid Moalem (نوید معلم) from Minudasht, had their sentences reduced from 6 years to 18 months.

The review court did not anounce its decision on the cases of Shahnam Jadhbani ( شهنام جذبانی ) from Minudasht and Shayda Qodousi (شيدا قدوسي) from Gorgan, who were sentenced to 11 years in prison.

The Bahais were charged with collaborating with hostile governments, effective activities to promote the goals of a sect and of anti-Islamic and anti-Shiah hostile governments, and with making propaganda in favour of the Bahai Faith and against the regime of the Islamic Republic, by participating in the ‘Ruhi program’ (Bahai catechism) in Golestan Province. The sentencing by the court of appeals of Shahnam Jazbani (from Minudasht) and Shayda Ghoddousi (from Gorgan), who were each sentenced to 11 years of imprisonment, has yet not been communicated to them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~

Liza Tebyanian arrested in Karaj

Iran Press Watch, March 15, 2017.

According to a Bahai News report, Liza Tebyanian Enayati (لیزا تبیانیان ( عنایتی) ), a Bahai resident of Karaj in Alborz Province, was arrested by security officers on March 16, 2017. [date corrected, Sen]

Bahai News reports that six security officers entered her home with a warrant, and after searching it and confiscating her personal property, including religious and non-religious books; laptops and so forth, arrested her. Her family still does not have any information about her whereabouts.

Previously, the business of her husband, Mansour Enayati (منصور عنایتی), was sealed by government agents from the Office of Public Places because he is an adherent of the Bahai religion. In September, 2016, his daughter and her husband, Ahdiyyeh Enayati (عهدیه عنایتی) and Sahba Maslahi (صهبا مصلحی), were arrested in Shiraz.
~~~~~~~~~

Two Bahai businesses shut by authorities in Karaj

Bahai News (Persian), March 10, 2017.

On March 9, police and agents from the Ministry of Intelligence and the Ministry of Penal Affairs (تعزیرات), along with a judge, went to one business in Karaj that is run by two Bahais, Farid and Farnush Pasha’i (فرید و فرنوش پاشایی) in the Gohardasht neighbourhood of Karaj, where they sealed the premises. The pretext was ‘sexual contraband.’ Although the owners presented invoices of their purchases to show that the articles were not contraband, the officers were uninterested, and returned on March 10 to confiscate all the business stock. [Under Iran’s economic apartheid system, Bahais are not permitted to provide many items of food, drink and personal services to Muslims, since Bahais are ‘unclean.’ But the rules are unwritten, or what is written is circulated confidentially, making it difficult for Bahais to know what they may and may not sell. A broad list of market sectors closed to Bahais was published on this blog in 2015 ~ Sen]

Government officers also went to a newly-opened business run by another Bahai, Arash Kazemi (آرش کاظمی) in the “Golshahr Metri 45” neighbourhood of Karaj. They shuttered the premises.
~~~~~~~~~~

Two more Bahai students expelled from universities

Bahai News (Persian), March 2017.

In separate reports dated March 4 and March 6, Bahai News reports on the expulsion of Mahsa Sha`erzadeh (مهسا شاعرزاده) and Puya Azami Aqjeh (پویا اعظمی اقجه).

Ms. Mahsa Sha`erzadeh, a Bahai living in Ramhormoz, in Khuzestan, was expelled from the campus of Payam-e Nour University in Rahhormoz because of her Bahai beliefs. She was taking a Bachelor’s course in Applied Chemistry, and had passed her final exams and gained 70 credits. She was summoned by the Ministry of Intelligence in the city and pressured to officially withdraw from her course. She refused, but was expelled on March 1, 2017, and was given no documentation.

Mr. Puya Azami Aqjeh, a Bahai from Tehran, was expelled from the Rudehen campus of the Free Islamic University. He was in the first semester of a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. In January 2016, he found himself barred from the final examination for the semester, and was told that he had no right to university education because he was a Bahai. He is the sixth Bahai student expelled from this University in recent months.
~~~~~~~~~

One arrest in Rey: Mrs. Sima Keyani

Bahai News (Persian), March 8, 2017.

Sima Keyani (سیما کیانی), a Bahai living in Rey (on the outskirts of Tehran), was arrested at her home by security forces on the morning of March 8. Her home was also searched, and a pickup truck was used to take away her religious books, along with religious images and family photographs. Her place of detention is not yet known, but it is likely she would be taken to Evin prison.
~~~~~~~~~~

Haleh Gholami free on bail

Bahai News (Persian), March 7, 2017.

Haleh Gholami (هاله غلامی), a Bahai from Tehran who has been detained in Evin Prison since January 27, was 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. At the time of her arrest her home was searched by security agents who confiscated her mobile phones and tablets.
~~~~~~~~~

Bahai home raided in Shiraz

Bahai News (Persian), March 3, 2017.

At 8 a.m. on Friday, March 3, a number of agents from the Revolutionary Guards raided the home of Mrs. Anusha Afshar-Reza’i (انوشا افشار ( رضایی)) in Shiraz. They forced an entrance and searched her home, seizing religious books, personal and religious photographs, a laptop, mobile telephones and memory sticks.
~~~~~~~~

Contradictory statements by Mazandaran Attorney General on the closure of Bahai businesses

Iran Press Watch, March 3, 2017.

According to HRANA, the news arm of Human Rights Activists in Iran, over 100 days have passed since the simultaneous closing of 94 business units belonging to Bahais in Mazandaran. During this time, the Attorney General of Mazandaran, Assadollah Jafari ( اسدالله جعفری), has issued contradictory statements regarding his role in the closure and sealing of the businesses of Bahais.

According to several of the Bahai business owners in Mazandaran whose businesses have been sealed, over the first few days following the closing of the businesses, provincial Attorney General Jafari responded by saying: “I personally signed the order to seal Bahai business and trade units and officers of the Office of Private Property are merely carrying out my orders.” He also said that Bahais were planning propaganda against the regime by closing their businesses on Bahai religious holidays. This was the reason for preventing the cases regarding the closure of the Bahai businesses from reaching the court, or from being addressed by the courts.

At the same time, a warrant signed by provincial Attorney General Jafari was located in the district attorney offices of a number of cities. This warrant contained orders to seal any Bahai business that closes on the 1st and 2nd of November. In another letter addressed to the Deputy Intelligence and Security Offices of Mazandaran Province, it was stated that Bahais take orders from Israel, that they intend to disturb the security of the province, and that that was why it was requested that if they close their shops and businesses on their religious holiday on the 1st and 2nd of November their business units were to be sealed.

Over two months ago Assadollah Jafari told several Bahais whose units had been sealed that “I swear on the Quran that I have no role in sealing the shops and businesses of Bahais in Mazandaran province, I never signed the warrant to seal the trade units, and did not order officers of the Office of Private Property to close your businesses! If you feel that the officers committed a violation, you can submit a complaint against them and be confident that it will be dealt with.” However, there continues to be a refusal [by the courts] to address the issue of the sealing of Bahai businesses.”

Under Article 32 of the Code of Criminal Law, management and oversight of the judiciary is up to the prosecutor. Also, according to Clause 1 of Article 28 of the Law on trade, the closure of any trade unit must be done with the knowledge of trade unions (trade guilds), and the Office of Private Property is the executive liaison to the unions. The unions said that they had no knowledge of the reason for the sealing of the Bahai Businesses in Mazandaran and they had no role in these closures.

Attorney General Jafari, despite an order from the Chief Justice of the Mazandaran Province Judiciary – Hojjatol-Islam Taghavi Fard (حجه الاسلام تقوی فرد) ‒ on December 14, 2016, refused to pursue an inquiry in this regard which was submitted to him. The text of the paragraph from the Chief Justice of Mazandaran Province is as follows:

“Mr. Jafari, according to the records, please review and announce the resulting decisions. Chief Justice Taghavi Fard.”

It should be noted that in March 2012, the European Union imposed sanctions on Attorney General Assadollah Jafari for human rights violations, include some against Bahais in Mazandaran.

Persian source: HRANA
~~~~~~~~~

Keyvan Pakzadan sentenced to 5 years in prison

Bahai News (Persian), March 1, 2017.

Keyvan Pakzadan (کیوان پاکزادان), a Bahai from Tehran, who was arrested as he was leaving his sister’s home on June 1,
has been sentenced to 5 years in prison by Judge Moqayesseh (قاضی مقیسه, also spelled محمد مقیسه‌ای). Judge Moqayesseh was also responsible for the sentencing of the seven ‘Yaran’ (national facilitators for the Bahais in Iran) and more recently the artists Shahriar Cyrus (شهریار سیروس), who was also given five years in prison.

Mr. Pakzadan was arrested as he was leaving his sister’s home. At the time of his arrest, agents not only searched his home and workplace and seized some of his personal effects, they also searched through his sister and brother-in-law’s effects and seized a laptop, flash drives, contracts, a Will, receipts, signed cheques and working notes. He was held for 34 days before being released on bail. Some of his possessions and those of his sister were also returned to them. He was tried on January 22, and the sentence was haded down on February 27, on the charge of “membership of Bahai organisations.”
~~~~~~~~~

Construction of local House of Worship in Agua Azul, Colombia, begins

Bahai World News Service, February 23, 2017.

Construction Construction of local Bahai House of Worship in Agua Azul, a village in Norte del Cauca, Colombia, began in January, after building contracts were formalized with a local firm in the region. Following the groundbreaking ceremony in May 2016, the three-meter high central mound on which the 18-meter tall Temple will stand has been completed, and the foundational work for the surrounding auxiliary structures has been laid. In time, these structures will be painted in the bright colors traditional to buildings in Colombia.

Since the property for the House of Worship was acquired in December 2013, the community has been undertaking a reforestation project on an 11-hectare piece of land adjacent to the Temple site. The initiative has helped to reintroduce native vegetation to the area, which was decimated by years of monoculture plantations of sugarcane. The team committed to the project has already successfully raised 43 species of plants on the land, which is designated for a Bosque Nativo, or native forest.

Full report here
~~~~~~~~~

Faruq Izadinia free on bail

Bahai News (Persian, facebook), February 26, 2017.

Faruq Izadinia (فاروق ایزدی نیا ) was released on bail from Evin Prison in Tehran this morning (February 26). Mir. Izadinia, a well-known Bahai scholar, writer, and translator, was arrested when his home was raided at 10.30 a.m. on February 12. Agents from the security forces seized about 1300 books and various electronic equipment and personal effects.
~~~~~~~~~

Letter from the NSA of the USA focusses on race unity

Editorial, February 26, 2017.

A general letter released by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahais of the United States on February 25 focusses on the theme of race unity. An earlier letter on this theme, entitled ‘eradicating racial prejudice in the nation’, was timed to coincide with the Feast of Izzat, on September 8, 2014.

American Bahais, it says, “have a twofold mission: to develop within our own community a pattern of life that increasingly reflects the spirit of the Baha’i teachings, and to engage with others in a deliberate and collaborative effort to eradicate the ills afflicting our nation.” (paragraph 6). In the context of involvement in the national discourse on race, the letter speaks of “a national race unity conference under the sponsorship of this Assembly, details of which will be announced in due course.” (Paragraph 11).

The full text of the letter is in the documents archive of my Bahai studies blog.
~~~~~~~~~

69-year-old invalid arrested in Tehran

Bahai News (Persian, Facebook), February 21, 2017.

At 7.30 a.m. on February 21, three male and one female security agent arrested Sorur Forughi Mahdiabadi (سرور فروغی مهدی آبادی) in Tehran, and took her to Evin Prison. She is described as a 69-year old resident of Yazd, suffering from cancer and high blood pressure, who had gone to Tehran to celebrate the marriage of her son, planned for February 23.
~~~~~~~~~~

Farzan Ma`sumi and Farhad Sabet bailed in Shiraz

Bahai News (Persian, Facebook), February 22, 2017.

Farzan Ma`sumi (فرزان معصومی) and Farhad Sabet (فرهام ثابت) were freed on bail on the morning of February 22. They were arrested on the morning of February 12, 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 Ministry of Intelligence Detention Center (Detention Facility 100). Bail was set at 200 million tumans each (59,000 euros ; $US 62,000).
~~~~~~~~~

Four Bahai detainees freed in Yazd

Bahai News (Persian, Facebook), February 21, 2017.

On February 20, four of the Bahai detainees in Yazd were released after 33 days in detention. Bail was set at 180 million tumans (52,000 euros ; $US 55,000). Those released are Farzad Rouhani (فرزاد روحاني), Mehran Bandi (مهران بندي), Ramin Hasouri (رامين حصوري) and Ahmad Na`imi (احمد نعيمي). They were arrested in the course of raids on Bahai homes in Yazd on January 18, when masked agents seized religious books, flash memory sticks and computers.
~~~~~~~~~~

Sholeh Ram and Shayan Rahimi released on bail

Bahai News (Persian, Facebook), February 20, 2017.

Sholeh Ram (شعله رام) and her husband Shayan Rahimi (شایان رحیمی), Bahais living in Zahedan, have been released on bail after 20 days in detention. They were arrested by Security agents at 10.30 a.m. on February 1. At that time, it was said that they would be charged with activities contrary to national security.
~~~~~~~~~~

Baha’is of Iran website launched

Bahai World News Service, February 15, 2017.

The site of the Bahai community of Iran went online earlier today. The website, in Persian, covers a range of topics and presents the history, activities, and aspirations of the Bahai community in Iran. [It does not present current Bahai news from Iran ~ Sen]

The new “Bahais of Iran” website is the first website of the Baha’i community of Iran. This is especially important at a time when a large volume of anti-Bahai propaganda has proliferated in that country.

Full report in English: here.
~~~~~~~~~

Trial of Hamed bin Haydara in Yemen postponed again

Bahai Campaign, February 14, 2017.

The trial of a Bahai citizen, Hamed bin Haydara, in Sana’a, Yemen, has been postponed for the seventh time. He has been imprisoned without trial since December 3, 2013. In April 2016, the Prosecutor asked for two months to gather evidence, although Mr. bin Haydara had at that point been imprisoned for 28 months. It would appear that no evidence has been found to sustain the various charges against him. Further background to his detention is given in an earlier report on this blog.
~~~~~~~~~

Shahram Eshraqi granted prison furlough

Bahai News (Persian, Facebook), February 15, 2017.

Shahram Eshraqi (شهرام اشراقی), a Bahai who is serving a 3-year sentence in Block 3 of Isfahan Prison, has been granted a one-month furlough for medical treatment. He is a veteran of the Iran-Iraq war, and served in the front lines. This is the fourth time he has gone to prison for his Bahai beliefs. He is one of 20 Bahais who were sentenced to a total of 78 years in prison by a court in Yazd in April, 2014, and began his sentence in Isfahan on October 11, 2015. He has had health problems because of prison conditions, and his health deteriorated after he was transferred to Block 3, where conditions are particularly bad.
~~~~~~~~~

Details of the arrest of Faruq Izadinia

HRANA, February 14, 2017.

Faruq Izadi-nia (فاروق ایزدی نیا ), a well-known Bahai scholar, writer, and translator living in Tehran, was arrested when his home was raided at 10.30 a.m. on February 12. Agents from the security forces seized about 1300 books and various electronic equipment and personal effects. He is now under interrogation in Evin prison, and his daughter has been told the interrogation will last 10 days. He is accused of illegal activities against national security. This is his thrid arrest. He was arrested and condemned to death in the 1980s. His sentence was later commuted to 10 years in prison, and he was freed after five years. He was arrested again in 1996. Family members said that he is currently physically weak and ill. Among his symptoms are frequent bleeding of the nose, which doctors have not been able to explain. At the time of his arrest he was suffering from pain on the left side of his body, and he has low blood pressure and a low heartbeat rate.
~~~~~~~~~

New arrests in Tehran and Shiraz

Bahai News (Persian, Facebook), February 12, 2017.

On the morning of February 12, security agents arrested Faruq Izad-nia (فاروق ایزدی نیا ), a Bahai living in Tehran who has already served two prison terms for his religious beliefs. He is a scholar and translator. It is presumed he has been taken to Evin Prison.

In Shiraz, security forces searched the home of (فرزان معصومی) and arrested him. This is in addition to the arrest of Farhad Sabet (فرهام ثابت), also on the morning of February 12.
~~~~~~~~~

One new arrest in Shiraz

Bahai News (Persian, Facebook), February 12, 2017.

Farhad Sabet (فرهام ثابت), a young Bahai from Shiraz, was arrested by security forces for the Province of Fars on the morning of February 12. He was taken to “Detention Facility 100” which is operated by the Ministry of Intelligence.
~~~~~~~~~

Iran’s Martyr’s Foundation refuses to recognize Bahai soldier who died in war

Iran Press Watch, January 20, 2017.

The family of Muhyiddin Dhehni (محی الدین ذهنی) a Bahai soldier from Miandoab who died on the Piranshahr front during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war, has written a letter asking the Martyr’s Foundation to recognize him as a “martyr,” and to create a record for him. The President of the Foundation in Miandoab, in response to his mother’s request, wrote that because they “belonging to the misguided Bahai sect,” and based on regulations, there was no possibility of being allowed to file a request, for this individual or similar individuals, whether Bahai war veterans or killed in action.

Muhyiddin Dhehni was killed at the end of his military service, on August 19, 1986, at Davoodabad Military Base in Piranshahr. Despite losing his life in the 8-year war, in which in every case the deceased is designated a “martyr,” and the Foundation supports his surviving family, they never created a file for Mr. Zehni, nor was any support allocated to his family.
~~~~~~~~~

Assets seized from 10 Bahai-run businesses in Karaj and Fardis

Bahai News (Persian, Facebook), February 6, 2017.

During the first week of February, government agents have opened up 10 of the Bahai-run businesses in Karaj and Fardis (two adjoining towns to the West of Tehran) that have been closed down by the authorities, taken away all the stock and other requisites, and re-sealed the premises.
~~~~~~~

Three Bahais arrested in Kerman

Bahai News (Persian and English), February 9, 2017.

On February 8, 2017, security forces in Kerman arrested Ehsan Amiri-nia (احسان امیری نیا), Arman Bandi (آرمان بندی) and Nima Rajab-zadeh (نیما رجب زاده), and then searched their homes.
~~~~~~~~~

Bahai student Sepena Shadabi expelled from the Azad university of Kermanshah

Bahai News (English), February 9, 2017.

Sepena Shadabi (سپنا شادابی), a Bahai student from Kermanshah, has been expelled from the Sahneh County campus of the Free Islamic University of Kermanshah because of his Bahai beliefs. He is an architectural engineering student who began his studies in September 2014, and passed 104 units and completed the examinations. On January 31, 2017, he responded to a summons to the security office of the central university [university security offices in Iran are departments of the Ministry of Intelligence ~ Sen] where a security official took his student ID card and asked him whether he was a Bahai. “Yes,” he said, “I am a Bahai.” The head of security then told him “I have been instructed by the competent authorities to tell you that, under a ruling issued by the Council of the Cultural Revolution, you as a Bahai are not allowed to study at a university.” Next day he found that his login to the university website was blocked.

In the past month, 20 Bahai students have been expelled from Iranian universities because of their belief in the Bahai Faith. The ruling of the Council of the Cultural Revolution which initiated this systematic policy of discrimination against Bahai is available here.
~~~~~~~~~

Uzzatallah Kharram bailed in Yazd

Bahai News (Persian), February 5, 2017.

On February 5, after 20 days in detention, Uzzatallah Kharram (عزت الله خرم) was freed on bail from Yazd Prison. He was one of seven Bahais arrested in home raids in Yazd on the morning of January 18, and held in detention by the Ministry of Intelligence. During the raids, masked agents seized religious books, flash memory sticks and computers. The names of the other Bahais arrested that day are Farzad Rouhani (فرزاد روحاني), Nateqeh Na`imi (ناطقه نعيمي), Mehran Eslami (مهران اسلامي), Mehran Bandi (مهران بندي), Ramin Hasouri (رامين حصوري) and Ahmad Na`imi (احمد نعيمي). One of these, Nateqeh Na`imi, was released without bail a few hours later, but the other five remain under interrogation at the Ministry of Intelligence detention facility.

Mr. Azzatullah Khorram was also one of 17 Bahais who were arrested in Yazd in early August, 2016.
~~~~~~~~~

Ruhiyyeh Zaynali free on bail in Kerman

Bahai News (Persian), February 5, 2017.

Ruhiyyeh Zaynali (روحیه زینلی), a Bahai who was arrested in Kerman on January 3, has been released after posting bail of 100 million tumans (29,000 euros; $US 31,000). After her arrest she was held for prolonged interrogation by the Ministry of Intelligence, before being transferred to the Kerman Provincial Prison. Her husband Samir Khalousi (سمیر خلوصی) was arrested during a violent raid on the their home on December 30, 2016, and is apparently still being held by the Ministry of Intelligence. The couple have two children, aged 7 and 16.
~~~~~~~~~~

Bahai student expelled from a non-profit university in Mashhad

Bahai News (Persian), February 1, 2017.

Sougol Kazemi-Bahnamiri (سوگل کاظمی بهنمیری) has been expelled from the Non-Profit University in Mashhad, where she had reached the fifth semester of a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Enginering, because of her Bahai beliefs. The discovered she had been expelled when she tried to access her personal page on the University’s web site on January 23. Her access was blocked. She went first to the IT services department, who sent her to the Education Office, who knew nothing about her expulsion. That office sent her back to the Director of the Education Office, who made further enquiries with the National Organisation for Educational Testing, who said that her student portal had been closed, but this was to be confidential. When she asked whether she had been expelled, the Education Office told her, “No, but until the Testing Organisation says that the problem with your file has been resolved, you are barred from further study and cannot follow classes in the coming semester.” She then went to the Ministry of Education and the Testing Organisation, but as of January 28 she had received no response, and there has also been no official documentation of the her expulsion.

~~~~~~~~~

Two Bahais arrested in Zahedan

Iran Press Watch, February 2, 2017.

Sholeh Ram (شعله رام) and her husband Shayan Rahimi (شایان رحیمی), Bahais living in the city of Zahedan, were arrested by Security agents on the morning of February 1, and were transferred to an unknown location. An informed said, “Yesterday morning [at 10.30 am], they arrested Mrs. Ram at her father’s workplace, and then went to the business premises of Mr. Rahimi and arrested him.” Another source said that this was the first time these Bahais had been arrested, and the arresting agents said they would be charged with “activities against national security.”
~~~~~~~~~~

Afif Na`imi returns to Rajai Shahr prison

Bahai News (Persian), January 28, 2017.

Afif Na`imi (عفیف نعیمی), one of the seven imprisoned ‘Yaran’ (national facilitators for the Bahai community in Iran), returned to Rajai Shahr prison on January 28. He has served 8 years of a 10-year sentence, and was granted a furlough for medical treatment which eventually extended to five months. On several occasions in recent years, he has been taken from prison to a heart disease hospital in Tehran for treatment, only to be returned to prison with the treatment incomplete. He suffers from blood clots and recurrent fainting (apparently due to the effects of blood thinning drugs to reduce the risk of brain hemorrhage). His health problems are described as “severe,” and the prison’s Medical Examiner has determined that he is not fit for prison because of his failing health.
~~~~~~~~~~

One arrest in Tehran

Iran Press Watch, February 2, 2017.

The website of Human Rights in Iran reports: on January 27 Haleh Gholami (هاله غلامی), a Bahai from Tehran, was detained by security agents in the Shahrara area of Tehran because of her belief in the Bahai Faith, as she was participating in charity work for child laborers. Bahai News reported that after her arrest, they searched her home and confiscated her mobile phones and tablets.
~~~~~~~~~

Two arrests in Isfahan

Bahai News (Persian), January 26, 2017.

On January 24, security forces raided the home of Manouchehr Rahmani (منوچهر رحمانی) and Mohsen Mehrgani (محسن مهرگانی), which they searched thoroughly, seizing their religious books and personal effects. They were arrested and taken away, and their present whereabouts is unknown.
~~~~~~~~~

Tina Mauhabati’s prison sentence commuted to a fine

Bahai News (Persian), January 31, 2017.

Tina Mauhabati ( تینا موهبتی ), a Bahai originally from Gorgan in Golestan Province, has been fined 3 million tumans (860 euros; $US 930). This fine replaces her previous sentence of one year and nine months, which was not implemented because she was less than 18 years old when she was sentenced. At the time of her arrest she was living in Tehran, and was arrested at the bus station in Gorgan on the evening of October 23, 2012, as she was waiting for the bus to Tehran. She was held for 24 days before being released on bail. She was charged with propaganda against the regime, apparently connected to a prayer meeting. She is one of 24 Bahais from Golestan province who were given very heavy sentences in January, 2016, sentences which were greatly reduced by the Review Court in November, 2016. They were charged with crimes such as collaborating with hostile states by promoting the interests of a sect and of anti-Muslim and anti-Shiah arrogant governments, and “propaganda against the Islamic Republic and in favor of the Bahai Faith through participation in Ruhi projects in Golestan province.”

Tina Mauhabati’s sentence was initially 9 years in prison, later reduced to 21 months, and now commuted to a fine. Because she will be ‘credited’ with the time she has already been imprisoned, the amount she will actually have to pay is 1.8 million tumans.
~~~~~~~~~

Latest news from the Bahais in Yazd

Bahai News (Persian), January 24, 2017.

On the morning of January 24, security forces searched the home of Muhammad Tadrisi (محمد تدریسی), a Bahai living in Yazd, and arrested him. He was taken to the jail run by the Ministry of Intelligence. He was released on bail on February 1. About four years ago, his home was searched and photographs and other personal effects were seized.

Also on the morning of January 24, Mrs. Shabnam Motahed (شبنم متحد) was released from prison after serving a two-year sentence. Her husband Mr. Eyman Rashidi (ایمان رشیدی) is serving a three-year sentence. Both entered prison on March 18, 2015. They were among 20 Bahais who were arrested in August, 2011, and given heavy prison terms in April, 2014.

As previously reported, Mahbod Ettehadi (مهبد اتحادی), another Bahai from Yazd, was released on bail on January 23 after a 3-week interrogation period, and Mrs. Fariba Ashtari (فریبا اشتری) was released on January 13, after serving a 2-year sentence. On the morning of January 18, security officers arrested seven other Bahais in Yazd.
~~~~~~~~~

Mahbod Ettehadi bailed in Yazd

Bahai News (Persian), January 23, 2017.

Mahbod Ettehadi (مهبد اتحادی), a 23-year-old Bahai living in Yazd who was arrested by security forces on the morning of January 1, has been released on bail after being detained for 23 days by the Ministry of Intelligence. He was arrested at his workplace, in a travel agency. The arresting agents gave no reason for his arrest. They took him to his home, which they searched.
~~~~~~~~~~

Kouroush Sharif-zadeh and Fo’ad Mithaqiyan bailed in Karaj

Bahai News (Persian), January 22, 2017.

Kouroush Sharif-zadeh (کوروش شریف زاده) and Fo’ad Mithaqiyan (فواد میثاقیان), Bahais from Karaj who were arrested on January 19, have been freed on bail of 300 million tumans and 120 million tumans, respectively ($US 92,000 and $US 37,000 respectively). After their arrest they were transferred to Ghezel Hazar prison. Follow the arrest of Mr. Sharif-zadeh, he was taken in handcuffs to his business (which had previously been closed by the authorities), and all his stock was confiscated. The two men are (apparently) joint owners of Sam Optics in Karaj, which has been shut down by the authorities because of their Bahai beliefs. It is one of over 90 Bahai-run businesses that were closed down in various places in November, 2016.
~~~~~~~~

Two Bahai men forcibly disappeared in Yemen

Amnesty International, January 19, 2017.

Heshmat Alah Ali Mohammad Sabet Sarvestani and his son-in-law Nadim al-Sakkaf have been arbitrarily detained in Yemen, without charge and subjected to enforced disappearance, since January 11. They have been held incommunicado in an unknown location without access to their families or lawyers, raising fears they might be at risk of torture and other ill-treatment.

On 11 January, Nadim al-Sakkaf drove Heshmat Alah Sarvestani to the international airport in Yemen’s southern city of Aden. Heshmat Alah Sarvestani was due to board a Yemenia flight to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to renew his Iranian passport and receive medical treatment. He is 75 years old and suffers from various medical ailments, including arterial hypertension — a rare form of high blood pressure — and a slipped disc. At around 2pm, while at the check-in desk, the two men were approached by an airport officer dressed in civilian clothing who ushered Nadim al-Sakkaf into an office for questioning. Hesmat Alah Sarvestani was called into the same office shortly after. Neither has been seen since. The Yemeni authorities have refused to disclose their whereabouts.

Amnesty International has issued an “urgent action” call because of the dissappearance of the two men,
+ calling on the Yemeni authorities to disclose the fate and whereabouts of Heshmat Alah Sarvestani and Nadim al-Sakkaf and release them immediately and unconditionally, unless they are to be charged with a recognizable criminal offence, in line with international law and standards; and
+ urging them to ensure that they are protected from torture and other ill-treatment and granted, without delay, regular access to their families, lawyers and any medical treatment they may require.
~~~~~~~~

Seven Bahais arrested in Yazd

Bahai News (Persian), January 18, 2017.

On the morning of January 18, security officers arrested Farzad Rouhani (فرزاد روحاني), Nateqeh Na`imi (ناطقه نعيمي), Mehran Eslami (مهران اسلامي), Mehran Bandi (مهران بندي), Ramin Hasouri (رامين حصوري), Ahmad Na`imi (احمد نعيمي) and Uzzatallah Kharram (عزت الله خرم).

Mrs. Nateq Na’imi (ناطقه نعیمی) has been imprisoned previously, and was only released on August 16, 2016. Mehran Bandi has also been imprisoned for his beliefs: on October 3, 2010, he was reported to be serving a 3-year sentence in the prison of Zabul. In February 2014 his home was the target of a raid, and in August, 2016, his home and workplace in Yazd were raided. Mr. Azzatullah Khorram was one of 17 Bahais who were arrested in Yazd in early August, 2016.
~~~~~~~~~~

Two Bahai business-owners arrested in Karaj

Bahai News (Persian), January 19, 2017.

Bahai News (Persian), January 19, 2017.

Kouroush Sharif-zadeh (کوروش شریف زاده) and Fo’ad Mithaqiyan (فواد میثاقیان), Bahais from Karaj whose optician’s workshop has been shut down by the authorities because of their Bahai beliefs, were summoned to the Office of Suspensions (a department of the Ministry of Justice), and arrested when they arrived. They were taken away from the Office of Suspensions, and their present whereabouts is not known. Kouroush Sharif-zadeh has been previously mentioned on this blog, as the owner of Sam Optics in Karaj, one of over 90 Bahai-run businesses that were closed down in various places in November, 2016.
~~~~~~~~~

Six Bahai students expelled in Rudehen

Bahai News (Persian), January 17, 2017.

On December 31, 2016, six students were expelled from the Islamic Free University in Ruhdehen (Roodehen), because of their Bahai beliefs. After confirming their identity (as enrolled students), Sana Hourbakht (ثنا هوربخت), Janahgir Hedayati (جهانگیر هدایتی) and four others who have not given permission to use their names found they were blocked from the student’s part of the university web site and, after various efforts to follow up on this, found that their expulsion was directly related to the head of the University’s security department.

Sana Hourbakht sat the national University Entrance examination in the previous academic year, and was faced with the “incomplete file” excuse that is used to bar Bahai students from universities, but he was nevertheless able to enroll at the Free University to study architectural engineering. But on December 28 he, like the other five Bahai students at the university, found his personal page had been blocked and that he no longer had user access as a student.

Janahgir Hedayati was in his fifth semester of a degree in Computers and Applications, and just two weeks before his expulsion the Chancellor of the Free University had awarded him a wall plaque in recognition of his academic excellence. He too sat the national University Entrance examinations and received only the result “file incomplete,” but was able to enroll at the university as a “free” student, without UE results.

The other expelled students likewise had given their religion as “Bahai” on enrolling, and found they were expelled when they were blocked from the university web site. There is no evidence of who took the decision or blocked their accounts, but only university officials have that access to the web site. When they followed up, the Chancellor’s office told them to go to the Security Department [which is an arm of the Ministry of Intelligence, not controlled by the University ~ Sen]. when they went to the Security Department, their mobile phones were confiscated [to prevent them recording the interview ?] and the Head of Security told them “do not come to the University, you know why you have been expelled.” From the University Administration they learned that the officials there had no idea why they had been expelled, only that there was a red star beside their names in the list of students. The officials said to ask the Security Office what it meant.
~~~~~~~~~~

Bahai student expelled in Shiraz

Bahai News (Persian), January 15, 2017.

Dorna Esmaili (درنا اسماعیلی), a student in the 7th semester of a degree in Graphic Design at the Eram non-profit private university in Shiraz, has been expelled because of her Bahai beliefs. On January 8, during the end of term examinations, an examination official contacted her to say that the National Organisation for Educational Testing had said she was not eligible for examinations. When she asked the reason, she was told to contact Mr. Nourbaksh (آقاي نور بخش), at the head office of NOET in Tehran. When she asked the Chancellor of the University why she was expelled, he said she contact NOET. She did so, travelling to Tehran to see Mr. Nourbaksh, he said he had been contacted by the Ministry of Intelligence, and was not responsible for the decision.
~~~~~~~~~~

Bahai student expelled in Isfahan

Bahai News (Persian), January 16, 2017.

Ma’ideh As-sadat Hosseini-rad (مایده السادات حسینی راد), a Bahai from Isfahan, has been expelled from university because of her Bahai beliefs. She was not given any documentation of her expulsion, or evidence of the grades she had achieved.

Following the national university entrance examinations she was excluded from study, with the excuse of “incomplete file,” but she was able to resolve that issue (the details are not specified) through contact with the National Organisation for Educational Testing, allowing her to enrol at the Technical University of Isfahan to study mathematics and statistics. But following the examinations at the end of the first semester she was excluded from the University’s web site and contacted to say that the National Organisation had not confirmed her eligibility to enrol, and she should go to the Organisation with any questions. When she did go to the Organisation, accompanied by her mother, for an interview with the head of student selections. He said the issue was a long-standing one, and that he was a supporter of the Bahais, to which Miss Hosseini-rad replied that there had been no improvement in the situation for Bahais over the years. He said the fault lay with the Ministry of Intelligence, not the Ministry of Science and Technology.
~~~~~~~~~

Fariba Ashtari released from prison

Bahai News (Persian), January 13, 2017.

Mrs. Fariba Ashtari (فریبا اشتری) was released from prison in Yazd on January 13, after serving a 2-year sentence which commenced on February 21, 2015. She has also been given a 12-month suspended sentence (probation), which will begin now. An active Bahai, and a psychologist, she is one of 20 Bahais who were arrested in central Iran in August 2012. They were charged with propaganda against the regime and participation in Bahai community activities. Her husband Nasser Baqeri (ناصر باقری) and her son Fa’iz Baqeri (فایز باقری) have also been imprisoned for their faith in Yazd.
~~~~~~~~

Bahai business reopened in Karaj

Campaign against harrassment of Bahais, January 6. 2017.

An office fittings business operated by Kambiz and Kourush Sadeqi ( کامبیز و کوروش صدقی), two Bahai brothers living in Karaj, has been allowed to reopen. In the last three months, at least 140 Bahai-owned businesses have been sealed by the authorities because they were closed on Bahai religious holidays. Most remain sealed.
~~~~~~~~~

Another student expelled in Shiraz

HRANA, January 12, 2017.

Nazanin Niku-seresht ( نازنین نیکو سرشت), a student of English Literature at the Faculty of Literature and Human Sciences, Shiraz University, has been expelled after after two and a half months of study because of her Bahai beliefs. On December 28, 2016, when she checked the University web site to see her grades, she found the list was blank. When she enquired at the Faculty, she was told the University’s central administration had sent a letter saying her university studies had been stopped. The letter was signed by Dr. Muhammad-`Ali Masnadi Shiraz (محمدعلی مسندی شیراز), the head of educational affairs at the University. University officials said the decision was made by the Lecturer and Student Selection Committee in Tehran on December 12, and covered the expulsion of six students [for various reasons]. She was told she would have to contact the Committee for further details, but was not allowed a copy of the letter.

Mrs. Niku-seresht was one of the 129 Bahai university applicants who were rejected this academic year, with the excuse “incomplete file.” But she enquired about the nature of the “incomplete file,” and in the meantime was able to enroll and begin studies. Her further enquiries to the national body responsible for the university entrance requirements received not answer. But when she looked at Shiraz University, where she had applied, she found her name on the list of new students. She chose her courses and was given a student number and ID card.
~~~~~~~~~

Maryam Bashir and Borhan Ismaili arrested in Borazjan, Bushehr

Iran Press Watch, January 3, 2017.

Agents from the Intelligence Protection Organisation (سازمان حفاظت اطلاعات سپاه پاسداران) arrested Maryam Bashir (مریم بشیر) and Borhan Ismaili (رهان اسماعیلی), two Bahai residents of Borazjan in Bushehr province, on the morning of January 2, 2017.

The agents searched their homes from 8 AM to 12 PM on Monday, 2 January 2017, and confiscated personal belongings, including mobile telephones, religious books and laptop. According to informed sources they then took them to a prison run by the Organisation, then to a court, and finally to Borazjan prison.

According to a source close to the family, the security forces showed their families only a letter, saying they should go to the court on the following day.

The security forces also went to the home of Farshad Taqavi (فرشاد تقوی) in Borazjan, searched the house and confiscated some of his belongings, including his mobile telephone, laptop, religious books and photos, but this Bahai was not arrested.

Maryam Bashir (pictured following her release) was freed on bail two days later. Bail was set at 120 million tumans (35,000 euros ; $US 37,000). Borhan Ismaili was freed after posting bail of the same amount on January 7.

In the days following the two arrests, the Organisation summoned and interrogated Minu Bashir (مینو بشیر), Farang Shaykhi (فرانک شیخی) — the wife of Borhan Ismaili — and Haydeh Ram (هایده رام), the wife of Farshad Taqavi.
~~~~~~~~~~

One arrest in Yazd

Bahai News (Persian), January 1, 2017.

Mahbod Ettehadi (مهبد اتحادی), a 23-year-old Bahai living in Yazd, was arrested by security forces on the morning of January 1. Initial reports suggested that he was being detained by the Ministry of Intelligence, but as of today (January 10) there is no further news of him. He was arrested at his workplace, in a travel agency. The arresting agents gave no reason for his arrest. They took him to his home, which they searched.
~~~~~~~~~~

Bahai murdered in Semnan, and his body burnt

Bahai News (Persian), January 9, 2017.

Ahmad Fana’ian ( احمد فناییان), an elderly Bahai farmer living in Semnan Province, was murdered on the night of January 7, and his body was burnt to such an extent that DNA tests were required to identify the victim. It is not clear whether there was a religious motive for the murder.

A neighbour noticed that Mr. Fana’ian’s sheep were wandering, and that his car stood with the door open, and the key in the ignition, and found no trace of him. He called Mr. Fana’ian’s brother, who tried to contact him several times and then came with his son to the farm, where they found his burned body. Four farm workers are also missing.
~~~~~~~~~~

Wife of Samir Khalousi arrested in Kerman

Bahai News (Persian), January 3, 2017.

Ruhiyyeh Zaynali (روحیه زینلی), a Bahai living in Kerman, was summoned twice to the Provincial Office of the Ministry of Intelligence on two successive days. On the second occasion, on January 3, she was arrested. Her husband Samir Khalousi (سمیر خلوصی) was arrested during a violent raid on the their home on December 30, 2016, and is still being interrogated by the Ministry of Intelligence. Both are accused of propaganda against the regime and undermining national security. Mr. Khalousi suffers from a skin disease that requires medications, but the Ministry of Intelligence has not allowed him to receive the medication. The imprisoned couple have two children, aged 7 and 16.
~~~~~~~~~

Iqan Shahidi released after 5 years in prison

Bahai News (Persian), January 1, 2017.

Iqan Shahidi (ایقان شهیدی), a Bahai from Kermanshah, was released from Raja’i Shahr prison on January 1, at the end of a five-year sentence for his activism for equality of educational opportunities in Iran. Mr. Shahidi was successful in the University Entrance exams in 2007, but was excluded from tertiary education because he is a Bahai. The authorities used the excuse of “file incomplete” – which is to say, it lacked the word “Muslim.” He became active in the campaign against educational discrimination, and was arrested along with a number of other human rights activists, including four Bahais, on March 2, 2010, in Kermanshah. He was transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran and held in wing 2A for 71 days. During this time he was subjected to prolonged interrogation and physical and psychological torture. He and Sama Nourani ( سما نورانی ), another Bahai who had been denied university admission, were pressured to make televised confessions. At that time he was about 21 years old. He was released on bail of 50 million tuman (at that time worth about 35000 euros) on May 11, 2010.

He was tried in Tehran on July 2 on charges of membership of an illegal organisation (the Committee for the Right to Education (PCED), propaganda against the regime, and membership of the Bahai community. He was sentenced to five years in prison by Judge Moqayesseh (قاضی مقیسه, also spelled محمد مقیسه‌ای) in Tehran. Judge Moqayesseh was also responsible for the sentencing of the seven ‘Yaran’ (imprisoned national facilitators for the Bahais in Iran) and continues to misuse his judicial position to oppress the Bahai minority even today. The sentence was confirmed by the review court under Judge Mauhed (قاضی موحد). He began his sentence on April 9, 2012. In 2014 he was granted six days of leave from prison, beginning on July 28.