Businesses of Four Baha’is in Karaj Sealed

Source: BahaiNews¹

Translation by Iran Press Watch

According to “BahaiNews”, the businesses of four Baha’is in the Auto Parts Mall in Karaj were sealed by officers of the Office of Public Property.

According to “BahaiNews”, on September 30 2016 the businesses of Javid Ighanian (Javid Store – for the second time in the last week), Ramin Rahmani (Rahmani Luxury Goods store), Saeed Vojdani (Seraj Store), and Ataollah Shahidi (Exir Store) have been sealed by the Office of Public Properties, solely because of the owners’ religious beliefs.

Also last week, officers of the Office of Public Properties sealed the businesses of two other Baha’is, Fardad Jafari and Houman Shahidi.

In previous years, the Office of Public Properties has repeatedly sealed the businesses of Baha’is in various cities in Iran.

Earlier, “BahaiNews” reported the reason for the sealing of Baha’i businesses by the security forces as an attempt to counter the nine days of Baha’i religious holiday closures.  In recent years we have frequently witnessed the closing and sealing of Baha’i-owned businesses, as well as the arrest and detainment of Baha’is in Iran following Baha’i holidays.  According to Iranian business laws, those who have legal business permits are allowed to claim 15 days of business holidays; should they go over 15 days, they should notify the Office of Public Properties.

_____
1. “BahaiNews” is an independent non-Bahá’í initiative and is not affiliated with any Baha’i institutions.