Source: iranbahaipersecution.bic.org
News Bulletin #09-25
Iran
21 FEBRUARY – 07 MARCH 2025
[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 Bahá’ís 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: Prosecutor Blocks Release of Afif Naimi Despite Medical Recommendations
ALBORZ PROVINCE: It was learned on 27 February 2025, that Mr. Afif Naimi remains incarcerated in Karaj Prison despite serious health concerns, including a deteriorating heart condition. A forensic medical report deemed him unfit for imprisonment, suggesting his condition poses significant risks and offers no hope for recovery. Prison authorities and the head of the prison had initially acted on this report, preparing for his release.
However, the prosecutor intervened, contradicting the medical findings and insisting on his ongoing incarceration despite the severity of his illness.
Family members and prison officials have expressed frustration over the prosecutor’s interference, which seems to be motivated by factors beyond legal boundaries. The prison warden and the head of the infirmary have both communicated their inability to safely detain Mr. Naimi, given his health condition, but their appeals have been dismissed by the prosecutor.
The situation has raised serious concerns about the prosecutor’s actions, which have been criticized as unjust by both medical professionals and prison authorities. Efforts to address the issue through higher prison administration have been met with the response that the decision rests solely with the prosecutor. Naimi’s family continues to hope for his release, fearing for his life during his remaining sentence.
1.2: Anisa Fanaian Called to Commence her Prison Sentence
SEMNAN PROVINCE: It was learned on 27 February 2025 that Mrs. Anisa Fanaian has been summoned to serve her sentence, despite her appeal case being under review by the Supreme Court.
Mrs. Fanaian was initially sentenced to 16 years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Semnan in late 2023. This included ten years in prison for “forming a group to disrupt national security” an additional five years for “engaging in educational or promotional activities against sacred Islamic principles” and a further one year for “propaganda against the regime.” Additional penalties included a fine, deprivation of social rights, and confiscation of funds from her daughter’s room.
On 7 December 2024, the Court of Appeal in Semnan Province reduced Mrs. Fanaian’s prison sentence from 16 years to 8 years. The revised sentence, issued by Branch 7 of the Court of Appeal and presided over by Judge Javad Raisi and Associate Judge Ali Momeni, consists of seven years for “forming a group to disrupt national security” and an additional year for “propaganda against the regime.” According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the maximum enforceable sentence is seven years.
The Court of Appeal’s decision did not address the additional penalties.
1.3: Tahereh Nowrouzi Begins Sentence with Electronic Ankle Monitor in Shiraz
FARS PROVINCE: On 1 March 2025, the sentence of Mrs. Tahereh Nowrouzi, a resident of Shiraz, was enacted after her appearance at the Shiraz Prosecutor’s Office Execution of Sentences Branch, involving restricted movement under electronic ankle monitor supervision outside of prison.
Mrs. Nowrouzi is subjected to a one-year sentence, monitored by an electronic ankle device. The travel restrictions present challenges for her family, as she is a mother of two young children and her husband works in another city.
Previously, Branch 37 of the Fars Province Court of Appeals upheld the initial verdict from Branch 1 of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mahmoud Sadati, sentencing her to one year of imprisonment with movement restriction for the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”
Mrs. Nowrouzi was initially arrested by security forces on 9 June 2024 in Shiraz and detained at the Intelligence Office’s detention center, known as No. 100. She was ultimately released on 20 June 2024, after posting bail of two billion tomans.
2. COURT APPEARANCES
2.1: Revolutionary Court Acquits Three Women in Rafsanjan
KERMAN PROVINCE: It was learned on 28 February 2025 that in a recent court hearing at Branch 103 of the Revolutionary Court of Rafsanjan, presided over by Judge Hossein Ramezani, three women—Mmes Nahid Naimi, Didar Ahmadi and Boshra Mostafavi,—have been acquitted. The women, who had originally been arrested on 7 June 2020, had subsequently been released on bail pending their trial. During their arrests officers searched their homes and confiscated personal items including computers, mobile phones and books. The nature of the charges that have now been dismissed by the court are unknown.
3. HOME SEARCHES
3.1: The Home of Mahboub Habibi Raided by Intelligence Agents
FARS PROVINCE: On 18 February 2025, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence raided the home of Mr. Mahboub Habibi in Shiraz, seizing electronic devices including laptops and mobile phones. This raid follows Mr. Habibi’s previous detention on 28 September 2024, when he was arrested by security forces and charged with “propaganda against the regime” at Branch 14 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Shiraz. At that time, he spent over a month in the Intelligence Detention Center, known as No. 100, before being released on bail on 10 November 2024. The reasons for the latest raid remain undisclosed, adding to concerns about ongoing surveillance and pressure faced by individual Baha’is previously charged with fabricated offenses.
3.2: The Home of Kayvan Dehghani Raided in Isfahan
Photograph of Mr. Dehghani taken in 2013
ISFAHAN PROVINCE: On 9 February 2025, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence Office in Isfahan raided the home of Mr. Kayvan Dehghani in Isfahan and took all his belongings. Mr. Dehghani had been previously arrested and detained in Isfahan and Mashhad in 2011 and 2013.
4. HARRASMENT OF SCHOOLCHILDREN
4.1: Baha’i Student Faces Threat of Expulsion Amid Accusations of Promoting Faith
ISFAHAN PROVINCE: It was learned on 28 February 2025 that Ms. Noura Mahmoudi, a 12th-grade student at a public school in Isfahan, has been threatened with expulsion following accusations of promoting the Baha’i Faith. The incident came to light when Ms. Mahmoudi, a high-achieving student, noticed her conduct grade had been unfairly marked down due to her non-participation in congregational prayers. Despite her willingness to pray individually, she faced hostility from classmates and was accused of defiling the prayer room.
The situation escalated when a parent reportedly discovered Ms. Mahmoudi’s faith and complained, leading to her being barred from entering her classroom. School authorities claimed she was promoting the Baha’i Faith, resulting in multiple family complaints and leading to an order for her expulsion. During a day-long interrogation by the principal and guidance counselor, Ms. Mahmoudi was pressured about alleged promotional activities, which she denied, emphasizing that she only responds to questions about her faith when asked.
Despite not engaging in proselytizing, she was compelled to apologize to the principal under duress. By the day’s end, Ms. Mahmoudi was informed of her expulsion. The incident underscores ongoing challenges faced by Baha’i students in Iran.
5. ATTACKS ON CEMETERIES/BURIALS PROHIBITED
5.1: The Baha’is of Yazd Face Ongoing Challenges at their Cemetery
YAZD PROVINCE: It was learned on 27 February 2025 that the Baha’i community in Yazd continue to face significant challenges in accessing their cemetery. Prior to the Islamic Revolution the Baha’i community had a cemetery near the city that was a verdant garden cemetery and a symbol of beauty and spirituality. Following the Islamic Revolution, the original Baha’i cemetery was confiscated and destroyed, leading to the progressive designation of other dry and remote areas and at last a fourth location for burials, situated far from the city and accessible only by a dusty and treacherous road. Records and photographs of the desecration and destruction of the previously confiscated cemeteries are documented on the Archives of Baha’i Persecution website at this link.
The current cemetery’s remote location is frequently beset by sandstorms, posing a serious challenge to visitors attending funerals or those just wishing to pay their respects.
Community members express frustration over the degradation of their burial sites, citing ongoing damage to tombstones, trees, and the surrounding landscape. The journey to the current cemetery highlights the ongoing injustices faced by the Baha’i community, who have suffered from discrimination and persecution despite their peaceful and positive contributions to Iranian society.
Recently taken photos capture the arduous journey to the cemetery and the environmental hardships faced by those visiting the site.
The road to the remote cemetery
Dust storm at a Funeral at the Baha’i Ceremony in Yazd
The bleak and unforgiving environment of the allocated cemetery without water or other services
General view of the Yazd Cemetery
6. OTHER
6.1: Business Owner Pressured to Remove Memorial Banner in Semnan
SEMNAN PROVINCE: It was learned on 27 February 2025, that following the passing of a Baha’i in Semnan, a neighbor placed a condolence banner near the shop that had belonged to the deceased. This shop had been forcibly closed by authorities nearly 12 years previously, solely due to the owner’s Baha’i faith.
After one week, the neighbor who had put up the condolence banner removed it. This action was taken following pressure from intelligence authorities, who had demanded the banner’s removal.
He had been under pressure from security forces throughout the week and was ultimately forced to take the banner down. This incident highlights the extent of restrictions imposed on Baha’is and their friends, including surveillance over even the smallest expressions of solidarity and sympathy toward them. This event once again exposes the widespread and systematic state sponsored persecution of Baha’is in Iran, where even expressions of condolence are met with intervention and repression.
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