Source: www.en-hrana.org
The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Baha’i citizen Sepehr Ziaei to five years and banned him from leaving the country for two years. The court also ordered the seizure of some of his belongings.
According to this verdict, Ziaei was sentenced to five years for “membership in illegal groups to disrupt national security.” As additional punishment, he was banned from leaving the country for two years, and his cell phone and laptops were seized.
On September 24, 2022, security forces arrested Ziaei at his home in Tehran and jailed him in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. The agents also searched his house and confiscated some of his belonging.
An informed source earlier told HRANA that “last year, Ziaei started his treatment after having an ear stroke. However, his treatment was interrupted by this arrest and now he has lost a major part of his hearing power.”
According to the HRANA Annual Statistical Report of Human Rights Conditions in Iran, in 2022, 64% of the entire reports on the violation of religious minorities’ rights are about harassment, prosecution and conviction against Baha’is.
According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian Constitution recognizes only Islam as the official religion, in addition to Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Bahai faith is not considered legitimate by the authorities, and the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.
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