Baha’i International Community-Iran News Bulletin #35-2024

December 24, 2024 , editor , Leave a comment

News Bulletin #35-24

Iran

13 DECEMBER – 20 DECEMBER 2024

[This bulletin documents only the most significant acts of persecution and human rights abuses which the BIC has noted during the reporting period. It does not include those routine acts of discrimination to which Baha’is in Iran, whether as individuals or as a community, are subjected on a daily basis. The information presented in each bulletin is based on information available at the time of writing and may have changed subsequently.]

1. ARRESTS/IMPRISONMENTS

1.1: Mahvash Sabet Undergoes Open Heart Surgery While Imprisoned in Tehran

TEHRAN PROVINCE: Mahvash Shahriari (Sabet), a former member of the leadership group for the Baha’i community in Iran known as the “Yaran-e Iran,” underwent open-heart surgery on 18 December in the intensive care unit of Rajai Hospital in Tehran. Mrs. Sabet was transferred from Evin Prison to the hospital on 30 November for medical care.

Mrs. Sabet’s surgery followed delays in medical attention. A source close to her family confirmed, “After hours of delay, Mrs. Sabet’s open-heart surgery was finally performed in the ICU of Rajai Hospital. She is now under care in the hospital.”

1.2: Arshia Behin-Aien Remains in Detention and Denied Communication 13 Days After Arrest

ISFAHAN PROVINCE: It was learned on 19 December 2024 that Mr. Arshia Behin-Aien, a Baha’i resident of Isfahan, remains in detention in Dastgerd Prison, 13 days after his arrest. He has been denied contact and visitation rights with his family, leaving his loved ones increasingly concerned for his welfare. This situation is in contradiction to earlier assurances by the case investigator that he could communicate with his family.

Mr. Behin-Aien, aged 36, was arrested on Friday, 6 December, during a Baha’i religious gathering in the outskirts of Isfahan and transferred to Dastgerd Prison.

At the time of writing, the reasons for his arrest and the nature of any charges against him are unknown.

Detention and Interrogation

1.3: Ongoing Interrogations of Hamedan Baha’i Travelers Highlight Community Scrutiny

HAMADAN PROVINCE: It was learned on 14 December 2024 that Baha’is from Hamadan continue to face heightened surveillance and scrutiny with those returning from overseas trips being subjected to interrogation by local authorities. In some recent cases two women faced confiscation of their passports upon returning from Turkey, both of whom were subsequently summoned to the Hamadan Intelligence Office for interrogation.

During the interrogations, authorities asked detailed personal questions not only about their travel, but also posed questions regarding the membership and activities of the Baha’is in Hamadan, including about the Golestan Javid cemetery, a significant Baha’i site. Questions focused on identifying community members, hosts of gatherings and those responsible for maintaining the Golestan Javid cemetery.

These ongoing interrogations underscore some of the challenges faced more generally by the Baha’is in Iran, as they navigate intrusive surveillance and pressure from authorities. The situation highlights the lack of religious freedom and the rights of individuals to engage in international travel without fear of reprisal.

Releases

1.4: Three Released on Bail after 19 Days Following Arrests at Baha’i Holy Day Celebration in Tiran, Isfahan

ISFAHAN PROVINCE: On 2 November 2024, local police officers and agents from the Ministry of Intelligence raided a private gathering in Tiran, Mohammadiyeh, a small village lying near Najafabad, south-west of Isfahan, during the observance of a Baha’i Holy Day, resulting in the arrest and detention of three young men, Mr. Rashid Dehghani, Mr. Pedram Dehghani and Mr. Parsa Dehghani.

The three men were held in detention for 19 days before being released on 20 November 2024, upon payment of bail amounting to 150 million tuman each.

The arrests have been part of broader scrutiny of the Baha’is in Najafabad, with several other Baha’is facing interrogation by authorities.

2. COURT APPEARANCES

2.1: Khorasan Court of Appeal Rejects Appeal by Sirous Zabihi Moghaddam

KHORASAN RAZAVI PROVINCE: It was learned on 14 December 2024 that Branch 37 of the Court of Appeal in Khorasan Province has rejected the case of Mr. Sirous Zabihi Moghaddam, which had been referred to it by the Supreme Court. Following this decision, the case has now been sent to the Execution of Judgments. Mr. Zabihi Moghaddam, a resident of Mashhad, who was previously sentenced to a total of eight years in prison by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad, had his judgement reversed on appeal and the case referred back to a court of equal rank for further investigation.

Mr. Zabihi Moghaddam’s lawyer will now be requesting a de novo hearing with the Supreme Court.

Notably, the Court of Appeal’s opinion includes a directive that the judgment should not be announced to the defendants, a measure intended to prevent its public dissemination.

This case highlights ongoing legal challenges and complexities within the judicial system, as defendants and their legal teams navigate through multiple layers of appeal and review. The decision to restrict the publication of the judgment adds an additional layer of intrigue and raises questions about transparency in the judicial process.

2.2: De Novo Hearing Denied for Baha’i Individuals in Shiraz, Sentenced to Imprisonment

FARS PROVINCE: It was learned on 14 December 2024 that Mr . Sina Kamali and Mrs. Dorsa Dehghani ha ve been sentenced to three years and six months of imprisonment. The sentence includes the use of electronic ankle monitors, allowing them limited movement within the city limits of Shiraz. Efforts to secure a de novo hearing, which would have allowed for a fresh review of their case, have been denied. Details surrounding the nature of their charges and the specific circumstances of the case are not available.

2.3: Sentences of Nazila Khanipour and Vesal Haravi Upheld by the Court of Appeal in Rasht

GILAN PROVINCE: It was learned on 14 December 2024, that the sentences of that Mrs. Nazila Khanipour and her son Vesal Heravi, have been upheld by the Court of Appeal following a hearing held in absentia and without representation by the defendants. Mrs. Khanipour was originally sentenced to two years and one day of imprisonment, a monetary fine of 80 million tomans, and five years of deprivation of social rights; and her son, Mr. Vesal Haravi, was sentenced to three years, six months and one day of imprisonment, a monetary fine of 80 million tomans, and 10 years deprivation of social rights.

3. HOME SEARCHES

3.1: Homes of Two Baha’is in Yazd Raided by Security Forces

Archive photo

YAZD PROVINCE: On 12 December 2024, the homes of Mrs. Nategheh Naimi and Mr. Hosein Tadrisi, two Baha’is residing in Yazd, were searched by security forces. After conducting thorough searches, the security agents confiscated several religious books and electronic devices belonging to these Baha’is. Mrs. Naimi has previously faced arrest and conviction due to her Baha’i beliefs.

3.2: Security Agents Raid the Home of Omid Yazdan in Yazd

YAZD PROVINCE: On the evening of 13 December 2024, the home of Mr. Omid Yazdan, a Baha’i residing in Yazd, was raided by security forces while he was hosting a gathering of fellow Baha’is.

The security agents broke the door to enter the house and after searching the premises, they confiscated several religious books as well as the mobile phones of Mr. Yazdan and his son. The agents also attempted to seize the phones of the guests, but they had all left their devices at home, which provoked an aggressive verbal response from the agents.

4. ECONOMIC PRESSURES/DENIAL OF OWNERSHIP RIGHTS

4.1: Birjand Taekwondo Coach Dismissed Amid Allegations of Anti-Regime Propaganda

SOUTH KHORASAN PROVINCE: On 2 October 2024, at approximately 8:00 a.m., agents from the Ministry of Intelligence of Birjand conducted a search of Mrs. Mahnoush Mokhtari‘s residence in the presence of her 4 year old son, during which her mobile phone and laptop were confiscated. The agents, comprising three men and one woman, presented a search and arrest warrant citing a charge of “propaganda against the interests of the regime”.

Mrs. Mokhtari is a prominent and nationally accredited taekwondo instructor, coach, and referee in taekwondo competitions.

Following the raid on her home, Mrs. Mokhtari was summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence Office for questioning. The interrogation lasted four hours, during which time she was unable to see the interrogator, as she was made to face the wall. After the interrogation, Mrs. Mokhtari was released without any formal charges filed against her.

A week later, Mrs. Mokhtari was informed by the head of the taekwondo committee that she could no longer serve as an instructor or referee. This decision came after the Security Office of the Sports Department issued a verbal directive prohibiting her from participating in taekwondo activities, despite her official accreditation from the national federation as a coach and referee.

Efforts by the chair and vice-chair of the taekwondo committee to defend Mrs. Mokhtari were reportedly dismissed amid unspecified threats. Mrs. Mokhtari’s own attempts to seek legal recourse have been met with silence and intimidation, and she was warned against pursuing the matter through official channels.

Ultimately, she was forced to resign from her roles despite two decades of service and official credentials in the sport.

4.2: Intelligence Agents Raid Isfahan Clinic: Detain and Search Baha’i Doctor’s Premises

ISFAHAN PROVINCE: On 18 November 2024, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence raided the medical clinic of Mr. Bijan Rahmani. The agents, numbering around ten, were dressed in plain clothes and masks as they entered the third-floor clinic at around 10:00 a.m.

After presenting a warrant, the agents asked Mr. Rahmani to surrender his mobile phone. They then physically subdued him, covering his mouth, and handcuffed both him and his accountant. The agents seized their phones, the clinic’s official stamp, and CCTV footage before removing the handcuffs.

The agents then went to Mr. Rahmani’s home, where five agents conducted a thorough five-hour search, confiscating a laptop, documents related to the Baha’i Faith, and other legal and administrative papers. When the receipt for the seized items which labeled the Baha’i Faith as a “perverse sect” was presented to Mr. Rahmani, he refused to sign the document, citing the language as offensive to his beliefs, and requested its removal. Despite being told that refusal to sign would result in the non-return of his items, Mr. Rahmani remained firm, stating his objection on camera when prompted by the agents.

Following the raid, Mr. Rahmani was issued a summons to appear at the Intelligence Office on 30 November 2024.

4.3: Shopkeepers in Sari Face Increased Pressure and Confiscations Amid Baseless Allegations of Sales of Contraband Items

MAZANDARAN PROVINCE: It was learned on 14 December 2024 that Baha’i shopkeepers in Sari have reported encounters with authorities involving confiscation of merchandise and baseless allegations of contraband goods and intense scrutiny of their personal and financial affairs.

One shopkeeper, who owns a stationery store, was summoned by authorities for questioning about his personal background, financial status, and family connections. As significant Baha’i holy days approached, the same officials visited his shop, claiming that some of his merchandise was contraband. Despite the shopkeeper’s insistence that all goods were legally purchased, the officials seized a small portion of the stock.

Around the same time, another shop owner, who specializes in selling split-system air conditioners, was also summoned and questioned similarly. Earlier in the year, during this past summer, he faced the confiscation of some air conditioning units under similar baseless allegations of sale of contraband items.

These incidents highlight the challenges faced by Baha’i business owners in the region, as they navigate the injustice of extortion and confiscation of merchandise by local authorities. The shopkeepers involved have expressed concern over the impact of these actions on their livelihoods.

4.4: Clothing Shop Closure in Rasht

Archive photo

GILAN PROVINCE: It was learned on 14 December that the clothing store belonging to Mrs Samiei, a resident of Rasht, was sealed by agents from the Public Places Supervision Office which is responsible for the enforcement of accepted moral codes in places of work and other offices.

Annex 1: Additional Photographs