News May 27

The tale of such outrageous conduct, such widespread suffering and loss, if properly expressed and broadcast, cannot fail in the end to arouse the conscience of civilized mankind, and thereby secure the much-needed relief for a long-suffering people. I would, therefore, renew my plea, and request you most earnestly to redouble your efforts in the wide field of publicity, to devise every possible means that will alleviate the fears and sorrows of the silent sufferers in that distracted country. Surely these vile wrong-doers cannot long remain unpunished ... (Shoghi Effendi, Baha'i Administration, p. 107)

Two arrests in Bandar Abbas

PCED, May 27

On the morning of May 26, security officials arrested Mehnaz Jan-tasar and Basimeh Aqaqi ( مهناز جان تثار و بسیمه آفاقی ), two Bahai women living in Bandar Abbas. The officers searched their home, confiscated some personal possessions, and took them away. It is not known where they are being held, or what the charges may be.
~~~~~~~~

Entire Christian congregation arrested in Karaj

HRANA, May 27

Yesterday (a Saturday), security forces in Karaj raided a meeting of one of the congregations of the “Church in Iran” ( کلیسای ایران ) and insulted, beat and arrested those present. A church spokesperson said “before they arrested those who were present, the agents terrorized them and forced them to confess, in front of the agents’ cameras, that they had links to Zionist organisations and supported the policies of the Israeli government. Christian churches in Karaj have been subjected to harassment by security forces, arrests and economic discrimination for the past several years.
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Bahais among asylum seekers on hunger strike in Denmark

DR (Danish Broadcasting Corporation), May 25

Eleven Iranian asylum seekers moved into the St Stephen’s Church in Nørrebro, Copenhagen, recently and are on hunger strike to draw attention to their unhappy situation. The Iranians, who are aged between 20 and 35, have been living in Danish asylum centres for years and are afraid of being sent back to Iran. Four of the eleven are Christian, two are Bahais and the other five are Muslims. The church’s web site indicates that several were tortured in Iran, and one of them has had mental health problems in Denmark because of the fear of being sent home.

The church council and clergy recently met to discuss the situation, but were unable to come to a decision. “It is a completely new situation, and we need more time to consider what to do and to take advice,” Ivan Larsen told DR. They will be allowed to remain in the church for the time being.

Full story (in English)
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Bahai man aged 85 arrested (updated)

Khabar Navard, May 16

At noon on May 14, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence in South Khorasan province, acting without a warrant, searched the home of Muhammad Hussein Nakh`i ( محمد حسین نخعی ) in the small town of Khusf. They seized some Bahai books, an album of family photographs and a telephone book, and took Mr. Nakh`i for questioning. He was later arrested. Mr. Nakh`i is 85 years old, and his wife is 88 years old. He has already served five years in prison for being a Bahai, following the 1979 revolution in Iran.

Update, May 25: HRANA reports that his family have still not received any official word or explanation about him, although he has now been detained for 10 days. However the judicial authorities have indicated that the case is serious and his detention will be prolonged. His family have approached various lawyers, but no lawyer in the district is willing to represent Mr. Nakh`i, in view of the consequences suffered by lawyers who have in the past agreed to represent Bahai clients.
~~~~~~~~~~

Yekta Fahandezh expelled from university in Shiraz

PCED, May 22

Yekta Fahandezh ( یکتا فهندژ ), a Bahai student in the seventh semester of a degree in English language and literature, has been expelled from Payam Noor University in Shiraz because of her religious beliefs. Her inquiries about this have not been answered. An official in the university’s security office said they were required to say nothing at all about the expulsion, or provide her with any evidence at all that she had been expelled,but “You know that your problem is your religious beliefs.” In recent years, the Ministry of Intelligence has been identifying Bahai students, and pressuring the universities and the monitoring organisation, to ensure that Bahai students are expelled. [A Bahai by the name of Yekta Fahandezh was among the eleven Bahais arrested in Shiraz in early February. It is not certain that this is the same person.]
~~~~~~~~~

Anisa Fana’ayan sentenced: 4 years and 4 months

HRANA, May 20

Anisa Fana’ayan ( انیسا فناییان ), a Bahai resident of Semnan, has been sentenced to 4 years and 4 months in prison, on a charge of adhering to, and propagating, the Bahai Faith. She was tried on April 9. Her husband Siamak Iqani ( سیامک ایقانی ) is serving a 3-year sentence in Semnan prison. The couple’s business has also been closed down. They have two children, aged 2 and 7. Anisa Fana’ayan’s mother, Sahba Rezvani(صهبا رضوانی) was recently released from Evin prison, having served a three-year sentence. Muhammad Hussein Nakh`i ( محمد حسین نخعی ), an 85-year old Bahai who was arrested on May 14, is Mrs. Rezvani’s uncle.
~~~~~~~~

More arrests in Najafabad, Isfahan province

HRANA, May 19

On May 15, six agents from the Ministry of Intelligence searched a Bahai home in Najafabad, close to the city of Isfahan, and after a brief interrogation of those who were present, detained four Bahais, a Muslim man and his wife and two children. All were taken to Dastgerd prison (Dastgerd is a town near Isfahan). The names of the four Bahais are given as Behram Fardowsian, Mona Pir-`Ali, Sho`eleh Afshari and `Azim Tabibi ( بهرام فردوسیان، منا پیرعلی، شعله افشاری و اعظم طبیبی ). While the house was being searched, another Bahai man, Arash Haqiqi ( آرش حقیقی ) arrived at the house. The agents asked him to sign a list of the items being confiscated, and subjected him to blows and curses when he refused.
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Total of seven sentenced in Bam child care case

PCED, May 18

Saman Astuvari, `Ali Divsalar, Sahar Beyram Abadi, Sara Hajj-Abrahimi and Nahale Shahidi ( سامان استوار، علی دیو سالار، سحر بیرم آبادی، سارا حاج ابراهیمی و نهاله شهیدی ), all Bahais involved in care of underpriviledged children, have been sentenced to two years imprisonment and a two-year suspended sentence, while Nayusha Badi`i Thabet, Shamis Nourani and Soulemaz Qasemi( نیوشا بدیع ثابت، شمیس نورانی و سولماز قاسمی ) have been sentenced to one year in prison and a one-year suspended sentence. All are child care workers, who were charged with undermining national security by teaching the Bahai Faith. It is notable that `Ali Divsalar and Sara Hajj-Abrahimi are not themselves Bahais, but were active in an organisation providing care and education to underprivileged children in Bam. The others were active in providing pre-school education for children in the villages around Bam, following the earthquake.

This report updates the earlier report of the sentences handed out to Saman Astuvari, Nahale Shahidi and Sahar Beyram Abadi.
~~~~~~~~~

Two more freed on bail in Mashhad handicrafts case

Bahai News Service (Persian), May 9

Negin Ahmadiyan and Houriyyeh Mohsani, ( نگین احمدیان و حوریه نعمتی ), two of the Bahais arrested in Mashhad in relation to a handicrafts exhibition. were freed on bail on April 4 and April 8.
~~~~~~~~

Bahai man aged 85 arrested

Khabar Navard, May 16

At noon on May 14, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence in South Khorasan province, acting without a warrant, searched the home of Muhammad Hussein Nakh`i ( محمد حسین نخعی ) in the small town of Khusf. They seized some Bahai books, an album of family photographs and a telephone book, and took Mr. Nakh`i for questioning. He was later arrested. Mr. Nakh`i is 85 years old, and his wife is 88 years old. He has already served five years in prison for being a Bahai, following the 1979 revolution in Iran.
~~~~~

Three Bahais in Kerman sentenced for work on behalf of children

HRANA, May 16

Saman Astuvari, Nahale Shahidi and Sahar Beyram Abadi (سامان استوار، نهاله شهیدی و سحر بیرم آبادی ) have been sentenced by the revolutionary court in Kerman to two years in prison and a one-year suspended sentence. The sentences must still be confirmed by the provincial review court. The charges against them are said to include teaching the Bahai Faith through humanitarian activities. Sahar Beyram Abadi and Nahale Shahidi were arrested in Kerman on March 5, 2011, and Mr. Saman Astuvari was arrested there on March 2. He was the Director of a pre-school in Bam. Sahar Beyram Abadi, a resident of Tehran, was working with the pre-school.
~~~~~~

Riaz Sobhani transferred to a Tehran hospital

Khabar Navard, May 14

Riaz Sobhani ( ریاض سبحانی ), one of the imprisoned teachers from the Bahai Open University (BIHE) was transferred to a hospital in Tehran on May 13, at the request of the official doctor for Tehran province. He was being held at Raja’i Shahr prison.
He was transferred in handcuffs and shackles, although he suffers from heart disease, a lung disease and stomach bleeding, and the official doctor has repeatedly stated that he is not fit to serve his sentence. He has served one year of a 4 year sentence.
~~~~~~~~~~

Sarir Sadeqi transferred to Shiraz

HRANA, May 15

Sarir Sadeqi ( سریر صادقی ), a Bahai resident of Karaj who was arrested in his home on April 8, has been transferred from the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention centre to the central prison in Shiraz. He suffered serious mistreatment at the hands of the Ministry of Intelligence. Thus far, the authorities have refused to give his family any answers as to the reasons for his detention, although it is said to be related to the arrests of Bahais in Shiraz in February 2012.
~~~~~~

Two more Bahais arrested in Semnan, one free on bail

HRANA and PCED, May 14

[updated 16.15 GMT]
Akbar Pourhosseini and Afrasayab Sobhani (اکبر پورحسینی و افراسیاب سبحانی), two Bahai men living in Semnan, were arrested by security forces on May 14. The agents searched their homes and seized some personal possessions, before taking them to their businesses and conducting a search there. It is not known where they are being held, or what the accusation may be. Their homes had been searched by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence previously, December 15, 2008, when some 20 Bahais homes in Semnan were searched.

`Erfan Ehsani (عرفان احسانی), who was arrested in Semnan on April 20 was released on bail on May 4. The bail was set at 50 million tumans (31,000 euros; 40,000 USD).
~~~~~~~~~~~

Kamran Rahimian’s sentence confirmed

PCED, May 13

The review court in Tehran has confirmed the four-year sentence of Kamran Rahimian (کامران رحیمیان), one of the teachers at the Bahai Open University (BIHE). He was sentenced On February 14, on charges of membership of the Bahai community and colluding to undermine national security, and is being held in Raja’i Shah prison. His wife Faran Hesami (فاران حسامی) has also been sentenced to four years, and the sentence is still pending review. She was freed on bail on November 28, 2011.

Source (in Persian)
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Omid Firuzeyan tried in Semnan

HRANA, May 8

Omid Firuzeyan ( امید فیروزیان ), a Bahai resident of Semnan, was tried on May 6. He was found guilty of propaganda against the regime, membership in groups (meaning, participation in non-Shia religious activities), and the intention to undermine national security. The sentence is to be announced soon. Mr. Firuzeyan was arrested in summer last year, and held for two months before being released on bail. A large number of Bahais have been tried in Semnan in recent months, some receiving sentences of as much as seven years.

Source (in Persian)
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Four Bahai prisoners in Semnan interrogated again

HRANA, May 8

Four Bahais who are serving prison sentences in Semnan have been interrogated again, for several hours. Afshin Iqani, Siamak Iqani, Behfar Khanjani and `Ali Ehsani ( افشین ایقانی، سیامک ایقانی، بهفر خانجانی و علی احسانی ) were transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence on May 6, and returned to Semnan prison after their interrogation. All have served more than one year year in prison: it is not clear what the purpose of an interrogation could be. Behfar Khanjani and Afshin Iqani have been sentenced to four years and three months, Siamak Iqani to three years, and `Ali Ehsani to two years in prison.

Source (in Persian)
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No news of the Moti`i brothers

HRANA, May 6

Anis and Soroush Moti`i ( انیس و سروش مطیعی ) were arrested in Qaemshahr on April 18 and later transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence jail in Sari. There has been no further news of them, but in recent days the Ministry of Intelligence has been pressuring the Muslim associates of the two brothers. One of the three employees in Anis Moti`i’s album binding workshop has been required to lay a private complaint against Mr. Moti`i, although the employees had not previously had any complaints about their work.

Source (in Persian)
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Charges against Isfahan Christians include contact with Bahais

Farsi Christian News Network,

Pastor Hekmat Salimi and nine other Christians have been freed on bail in Isfahan, after 70 days in detention, and the accusations they will face in their trial are now known. The charges against Pastor Salimi include preaching the Gospel, printing books without permission (a likely reference to the seizure of a large number of Bibles by security forces) and explaining the meaning of baptism. Mr. Mitham Hojjati ( میثم حجتی ) has been charged with participation in a house church, distributing bibles, and contacts with Bahais. Mrs. Shahnaz Tahrifi ( شهناز ظریفی ) has also been charged with preaching the Gospel, participating in Christian conferences, having contact with Pastor Reza Safa ( رضا صفا ), “a Christian missionary outside the country.” Such charges are new, and significant as an indication of how the Iranian regime expects minorities within the country to behave. The activities mentioned in the charges(except for printing books without permission) are not against the written law in Iran.

Full story(in Persian)
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Three Bahais bailed in Mashhad

Bahai News Service (Persian)

In a report dated April 12, but posted this morning, the Bahai News Service reports that Mr. Azatollah Ahmadiyan ( عزّت الله احمدیان ), Mrs. Shahzadeh Khalili ( شهرزاد خلیلی ) and Mr. Gholam-Husayn Mokhtari ( غلام حسین مختاری ), three Bahai residents of Mashhad have been released from prison after posting bail of 100 million tumans each (62,000 euros; 81,000 USD).

Source (in Persian)
~~~~~~~~

Trial of 189 Sufis begins

HRANA, May 5

On May 3, the trial began for 189 of the 213 members of the Gonabadi Nematollahi order, who were arrested in a wave of raids on Sufi “Husayn houses” in various cities. They were all summoned to Borojourd for the trial, which is scheduled to last for 10 days with 18 to 20 cases being heard each day. The first group of 17, from the city of Kavar, are accused of “war against God” (9 cases) and carrying weapons without a permit (8 cases). There was disorder in Kavar in 2011, when a seminary student distributed materials inciting the Basij militia to attack the Gonabadis, which they did.

On May 15, the trial of seven of the lawyers who have defended Gonabadi Sufis will begin in Tehran. The seven were associated with a Gonabadi web site, Majzuban Nur. In recent years, Iranian authorities have demolished several Sufi “Husyan houses” in Qom, Isfahan and other cities.

Source (in Persian)
~~~~~~~~

PCED, May 5

Officials of the Payam Nour University, a state-controlled distance learning university active throughout Iran, have refused to enroll Sama Nourani ( سما نورانی ), a Bahai student serving a sentence of one year in Evin Prison in Tehran. Last year he completed the necessary entrance exams for a course in electrical engineering, but the university officials refuse to enroll him because he is regarded as absent without leave from military service. In Iranian law, being in prison is one of the circumstances under which absence from military service is permitted.

Sama Nourani was accepted for a course in medical engineering at Sahand University in Tabriz in October 2008, but was expelled after three semesters because of his Bahai beliefs. At that time, his name was sent to the authorities responsible for granting exemption from military service. He was arrested on March 2, 2010, along with Navid Khanjani and Iqan Shahidi.

Source (in Persian)
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Qaemshahr: Sahel Miri accused of marrying and converting a Muslim girl

HRANA, May 4

On April 19 I reported that six Bahais had been arrested in Qaemshahr. Among them were a young couple, Sahel Miri ( راحله معصومی ) and Raheleh Ma`sumi ( راحله معصومی ), who were arrested on April 18 following a search of their home. The office of the Ministry of Intelligence in Qaemshahr has prevented Raheleh being released on bail, although family members have twice offered to post the bail. She is pregnant, and is being held in Qaemshahr jail. It appears that the main charge against her husband is that he married a Muslim girl (Sahel) and caused her to change her religion. Because the accusation has been denied, the Ministry of Intelligence agents have pressured the parents of Raheleh to lay a complaint of Bahai conversion activities against their son-in-law. [ The accusation is an emotionally charged one, as well there being a law in Iran against non-Muslim men marrying Muslim women. Please remember this couple and their families in your prayers. ]

Source (in Persian)
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One Bahai student expelled from Isfahan University

PCED, May 3

Puya Muhammadi-Dehaj ( پویا محمدی دهج ), a student of orthodontics at the University of Isfahan, has been expelled because of her religious beliefs. From enquiries made by her family it appears that her expulsions was initiated by the University’s security office, and the case was taken out of the hands of the Isfahan Department of Eduction.

Source (in Persian)
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Nine Bahais bailed in Shiraz

HRANA, May 1

Nine Bahais who were arrested in Shiraz have been freed on bail. They paid 100 million tuman (62,000 euros; 81,000 USD) each. Their names are given as Mezhdeh Falah, Eyman Rahmat-Penah, Mazhgan `Amadi, Farshid Yazdani, Sam Jaberi, Yekta Fahandezh, Sina Sarikhani, Kambiz Habibi and Kavus Samimi ( مژده فلاح، ایمان رحمت پناه، مژگان عمادی، فرشید یزدانی، سام جابری، یکتا فهندژ، کامبیز حبیبی، کاووس صمیمی، سینا ساریخانی ). All but the last two have been detained for three months. Kambiz Habibi and Kavus Samimi have been detained since mid-March.

Source (in Persian)
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BIC statement on Youth and Adolescents

Bahai International Community, April 23

The Baha’i International Community, which represents the Bahai community at the United Nations, the European Union and in numerous coalitions of NGOs, and seeks to defend the rights of Bahais who are persecuted for their faith, has submitted a statement to the Commission on Population and Development at its forty-fifth session, on the theme of adolescents and youth. It emphasises the participation of youth in society, and education designed to release their latent potential. The statement has been entitled “Education in the service of community.” It argues for educational methods that combat passivity and promote an independent way of thinking, studying and acting. “Access to knowledge is the right of every human being. The responsibility to generate new knowledge and apply it in socially beneficial ways rests on the shoulders of every young person.” Employment and the education of girls, and their later participation as women in all spheres of life, are other important themes.

My documents archive contains :
- the English Statement in Word format (with the footnotes)
- Documents in PDF format (all with the footnotes missing)
English (original)
Russian
Spanish
French
Arabic
Chinese
~~~~~

Two Bahai women in Semnan tried

HRANA, April 26

Shohreh A`zami-Kasa’i (( شهره اعظمی (کسایی), a Bahai from Semnan who was arrested last year and released on bail, has been tried and sentenced to five years in prison on the charge of membership of the Bahai community. Another Bahai from Semnan, Anisa Fana’ayan ( انیسا فناییان ) was tried on April 9, and is waiting to hear her sentence. In November 2011 she was arrested and interrogated by the Ministry of Intelligence for 15 days although she had young children, aged 2 and 7, and her husband Siamak Iqani ( سیامک ایقانی ) is serving a 3-year sentence in Semnan prison. She is the eleventh Bahai woman in Semnan to be tried in the past three years. The sentences for the other Bahai women have ranged from one to seven years.

Source (in Persian)
~~~~~~~~~~

Another Bahai business closed in Semnan

HRANA, April 25

On April 18, local officials in Semnan cancelled the business license of Farhad Fana’ayan ( فرهاد فناییان ), to distribute toiletries. His toiletries shop was closed by authorities on October 26, 2011. Almost six months after that closure, the local authorities cancelled the shop license, without giving any specific reason, and told him that he would not receive any other license to distribute or retail toiletries in Semnan. Economic discrimination against Bahais in Semnan has been stepped up in recent months.

Source (in Persian)
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`Erfan Ehsani arrested again in Sangsar

Khabar Navard, April 23

`Erfan Ehsani ( عرفان احسانی ), a Bahai of Sangsar in Iran’s Semnan province, was arrested again on April 21 (the “first day of Ridvan,” a Bahai Holy Day). Members of the security forces, bearing a hand-written and invalid warrant, searched his home and arrested him. His wife, Taraneh Torabi ( ترانه ترابی ) is 7 months pregnant, and was herself detained and interrogated for 21 days in February, 2011, and eventually sentenced to 5 years and 10 months in prison.

Between December 24 and 29, 2011, Erfan Ehsani was summoned several times to the offices of the Ministry of Intelligence, by telephone. His request to the authorities for a written and valid summons was answered with insults to himself and his family. His complaint about the invalid procedure, addressed to the court in Semnan, was rejected by the court which endorsed the verbal summons. When he responded to the summons, he was arrested, on December 31. [The report does not indicate how long he was detained on that occasion.]

Source (in Persian)
~~~~~~~~

Ridvan message, 2012

The “Ridvan message” for 2011 is now available in English (click here). A Persian translation is available here.

This message of the Universal House of Justice, addressed to the Bahais of the world, is released every year at the beginning of the festival of Ridvan, when Bahais celebrate the twelve days that Baha’u'llah spent in the garden of Ridvan, on the outskirts of Baghdad, in 1863. The Ottoman government had summoned him from Baghdad to Istanbul and, since many visitors wished to say farewell to him, he moved to the garden to receive them, so that his family could complete the packing and preparations at his house in the city.

The message has an important role in setting the focus and tone of Bahai activities around the world in the following year, and is sometimes used to announce significant developments. In this case, it’s electrifying: it announces plans for building two major Houses of Worship, in Congo and in Papua New Guinea, and a number of smaller Houses of Worship Battambang (Cambodia), Bihar Sharif (India), Matunda Soy (Kenya), Norte del Cauca (Colombia), and Tanna (Vanuatu), and the establishment of a fund at the World Centre for all the Mashriqu’l-Adhkars in the world.

Translations are available in
Persian/فارسی,
Arabic/العربية,
French/Français and
Spanish/Español.
~~~~~~~~~~

Bahai student expelled from Kerman Medical University

HRANA, April 19

Elhan Mehrebani-Yazdi (الحان مهرابی یزدی), a Bahai undergraduate student at the Kerman Medical University, has been expelled. She had one term of theory, and one term of internship to complete for her degree. She was shown part of a letter in which the reason given was her adherence to the Bahai Faith.

Source (in Persian)
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Six Bahais arrested in Qaemshahr

HRANA, April 19

On April 12, security forces searched the home of Faranak Heyrani-Derakhshan ( فرانک حیرانی ) in Qaemshahr, confiscating a computer and religious books and cassette tapes, and arrested her. On the previous day, she had been summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence and interrogated for some hours before being released and told to report again the following day. She was taken to the Shahid Kuchui prison in Sari, but transferred the following day to prison in Qaemshahr.

On April 15, security forces searched the home of Mehnam Derakhshan ( مهنام درخشان ) in Tenakabon, on the Caspian Coast, seizing some personal effects and religious items, and arrested her. It is not known where she is being held.

On April 18, Intelligence agents and officers from the local government — some 30 officers in all — searched the album-binding workshop of Anis Moti`i ( انیس مطیعی ) in Qaemshahr. Because Mr. Moti`i was able to produce a license to operate, they had no excuse to close the business, and had to be satisfied with a search. They arrested Mr. Moti`i on the grounds that a private individual had complained about him.

The officers then went to the home of Mr. Moti`i’s father, the owner of the business. They searched it, and confiscated religious books and images. Soroush Moti`i ( سروش مطیعی ) — apparently a brother of Anis Moti`i — was also arrested, and another
brother, Amir Moti`i ( امیر مطیعی ) was severely beaten and abused because he asked to see a search warrant.

As previously report, Sahel Miri and his wife Raheleh ( ساحل و راحله میری ) were arrested at their home in Qaemshahr on the same day. Security forces searched their home, seizing a computer and religious books and took them away. Raheleh is pregnant. The couple’s whereabouts is still unknown.

Source (in Persian)
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Sarir Sadeqi under pressure in Shiraz detention centre

PCED, April 19

Sarir Sadeqi ( سریر صادقی ), a Bahai resident of Karaj, was arrested in his home on April 8, has been transferred to Detention Centre 100 in Shiraz. He was arrested on the order of the Prosecutor of Shiraz, and it was said at the time that his arrest was connected to the arrest of 14 Bahais in Shiraz on February 3. Relatives have said he is now under psychological pressure, and suffering from breathing difficulties and heart palpitations, to the extent that he has difficulty in talking and the prison doctor has prescribed medication.

Source (in Persian)
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Another arrest, and beating by security forces, in Qaemshahr

Khabar Navard, April 18

Anis Moti`i ( انیس مطیعی ), another Bahai resident of Qaemshahr, was arrested this morning. It is not known where he is being held. His brother Amin ( امین مطیعی ) was also beaten and abused by the security forces.

Source (in Persian)
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Two arrested in Qaemshahr

Khabar Navard, April 18

Sahel Miri and his wife Raheleh ( ساحل و راحله میری ) were arrested at their home in Qaemshahr this morning. Security forces searched their home, and took them away. Raheleh is pregnant. The couple’s whereabouts is still unknown.

Source (in Persian)
~~~~~

HRANA, April 18

Daniel Ouji ( دانیال اوجی ), who was a student of computer studies at the Bahai Open University (BIHE) until the authorities closed it and arrested many of its teachers, has been summoned to Evin Prison in Tehran. On May 22, 2011, he was stopped by unidentified persons while leaving his home, taken to an unofficial ‘jail,’ tortured, and detained for three days. His torturers burned him with cigarettes, used thorns, and hung him upside down and abused and beat him. No judicial documents (such as a detention order) were shown to him. [Since he has been summoned to Evin prison, not to a court, it appears that his abduction and torture was in fact a trial, and he has been sentenced as a result ~ Sen]

Source (in Persian)
~~~~~

Two Bahai prisoners in Shiraz moved to a more stringent wing

HRANA, April 16

Eyman Rahmat-Penah and Sina Sarikhani ( ایمان رحمت پناه و سینا ساریخانی ), two of ten Bahais who have been detained in Shiraz for more than two months, have been transferred to the wing with the harshest conditions, after disobeying an order from the prison’s prayer leader that Bahais should not talk with non-Bahai prisoners or share a table with them. Following several warnings from the prayer leader, backed up by the prison’s administrative officers, that the Bahais were not to have any sort of interaction with ordinary prisoners, they were moved yesterday to wings 10 and 11 of Adel Abad prison. These wings are all used to hold prisoners with serious contagious diseases.

Source (in Persian)
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Concern about Sam Jaberi’s health in prison

HRANA, April 16

Sam Jaberi ( سام جابری ), one of the Bahai prisoners in Adel Abad prison in Shiraz, is in poor physical health, but prison officials have not taken steps to allow him to be treated. Following numerous messages from his family regarding his physical health, and a letter from a doctor stressing the importance of rapid treatment, and a letter from a solicitor requesting that he be transferred to hospital, the judge has refused to order the move. He is suffering from back pains, respiratory problems and high blood pressure.

Source (in Persian)
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Concern about Sam Jaberi’s health in prison

HRANA, April 16

Sam Jaberi ( سام جابری ), one of the Bahai prisoners in Adel Abad prison in Shiraz, is in poor physical health, but prison officials have not taken steps to allow him to be treated. Following numerous messages from his family regarding his physical health, and a letter from a doctor stressing the importance of rapid treatment, and a letter from a solicitor requesting that he be transferred to hospital, the judge has refused to order the move. He is suffering from back pains, respiratory problems and high blood pressure.

Source (in Persian)
~~~~~~

Rasekhi family moved to jail’s general wing

HRANA, April 16

Bakhtiyar Rasekhi (بختیار راسخی) and his wife and daughter, Farhnaz Na`imi and Farin Rahimi ( فرحناز نعیمی و فرین رحیمی ) were among those detained on January 5 when agents from the security forces raided a home where the Bahais were marking the day of Iranian Youth. Now, after 89 days in detention, Mr. Rasekhi has been transferred to the men’s section of the general wing of Shahab Prison in Kerman, and his wife and daughter to general detention in the women’s section of the same prison.

Source (in Persian)
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Shahram Chiniyan transferred to Raja’i Shahr prison

HRANA, April 15

Shahram Chiniyan ( شهرام چینیان ), a Bahai resident of Hassan Abad in Tehran, who as previously reported was sentenced to 70 lashes and 8 years in prison, on a charge of insulting Islam, has been transferred from Evin prison in Tehran to Raja’i Shahr prison in Karaj, about 50 km west of Tehran. He was first arrested in March 2009 and released on March 3, 2010, after using his business license as bail. It appears that the accusation of insulting Islam was raised by his neighbour, following a legal dispute regarding the use of a right of way. He began serving his sentence at Evin early in March, 2012.

Source (in Persian)
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Two new arrests in Bojnourd

PCED, April 10

On April 7, Houshmand Sana’i ( هوشمند ثنایی ) and his wife, Bahais living in Bojnourd, were arrested at their home by security forces, who had a warrant to search the house and arrest them. Mrs. Sanaí was released after 8 hours. The couple’s three children have been barred from leaving the city. Mr. Sana’í has been arrested previously.

Source (in Persian)
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Increasing pressure on Shiraz prisoners

HRANA, April 9

In recent days, the pressure on Bahai prisoners in Shiraz, and therefore on their families, has increased noticeably. The prisoners have now been in temporary detention for more than two months, exceeding the period justified by a court order. On April 7, four of the prisoners, Kavus Samimi, Kambiz Habibi, Mazhgan `Amadi and Farshid Yazdani ( کاوس صمیمی، کامبیز حبیبی، مژگان عمادی و فرشید یزدانی ), were taken to detention centre 100 in Shiraz, and there has been no further news of them. The Bahai prisoners held in the general wing of the prison (not in solitary confinement) are not allowed to speak to other prisoners, or have any contact, and are threatened with consequences if they disobey. On April 9, their lawyer was told their detention would be extended by two months.

Source (in Persian)
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One Bahai arrested in Karaj

HRANA, April 9

Sarir Sadeqi ( سریر صادقی ), a Bahai resident of Karaj, was arrested in his home yesterday morning. His relatives said that the security forces had a warrant from the Public Prosecutor. It would appear that this arrest relates to the arrest of 14 Bahais in Shiraz on February 3.

Source (in Persian)

Update, April 13. PCED reports that he has been moved to Detention Centre 100 in Shiraz.
~~~~~

Summary of recent harassment incidents

Bahai News Service (Persian), March 26

In February, the windows of a Bahai home in Baharestan were broken for the second time. (Source). In Isfahan, on January 18, Mr. Eshsan Abrihimi and his father-in-;aw, Heshmetollah Ruhani ( احسان ابراهیمی و حشمت الله روحانی ) were summoned to the office of the Ministry of Intelligence and told to bring the operating license of their business with them. The result of the meeting was, that their businesses were closed until Mr Abrihimi promises that the Bahai Faith will not be taught in his shops. (Source) In Kermanshah, the businesses of four Bahais were thoroughly searched recently, and the owners were later asked for the names of any Bahais they employed. (Source). In the town of Qorveh, in Kurdistan province, fourteen Bahais were interrogated separately by the local office of the Ministry of Intelligence. Their names are given as Ms. Samira Khadem ( سمیرا خادم ) and her mother, Mr. Leqa’i ( لقائی ) and his wife and son, Mr. Kambiz Eqadmiyan ( کامبیز اقدامیان ) and his wife, two sons and a son-in-law, Mr. Behnam Eqdamiyan ( بهنام اقدامیان ) and his wife, Mr. Fe’ez Salahi ( فانز صالحی ) and his wife, and Ms. Peygah Azizi ( پگاه عزّتی ) [Which makes 15]. They were asked about Bahai meetings, the participants and how the meetings are run, and the names of relatives living outside Iran, their income and living situation, and willingness to travel outside Iran, work status, and participation in Ruhi training institutes. In April 2011, Mr. Kambiz was summoned for two successive days of interrogation regarding the affairs of the Bahai community in Qorveh. (Source) [In January, there were similar interrogations of more than 30 Bahais in the regions of Sari and Rasht, again asking about their willingness to leave Iran. -Sen]
~~~~~~~~~~

Two Bahai children expelled from school in Najafabad

Bahai News Service (Persian), March 26

In February, two children were expelled from school in Najafabad. This followed a pubic information meeting held by the chief of police, in which it was said that the Bahai Faith spreads moral corruption. The parents of these children objected, and were supported by a number of Muslim parents who were also present. After the meeting, the parents complained about the behaviour of the chief of police, to the school’s administration and to the Office for Supervising Education. The next day the children were abruptly expelled. When they went to the Office for Supervising Education, they were told that Bahais had no right to talk about their religion, where other parents were present, so that others would not discover that they were Bahais and become Bahais themselves, which would be a humiliation for them. The parents then went to the General Office for Supervising Education in Isfahan, with no results. The expulsion of the children was confirmed, and their parents were told to enroll them in another school.

Source (in Persian)
~~~~~~~~

New raids on Bahai homes in Shiraz

Private email source, April 9

Agents from the Ministry of Intelligence have again raided the home of three Bahais in Shiraz, and also raided the home of Mr. Ramin Mahbubi and Mrs. Adhita Khani-Ashnaií ( ی رامین محبوبی و آذیتا خانی آشنائی ) two other Bahais from Shiraz who were present during the first raid. The raids too place on April 7 and 8. The agents seized religious books, laptops, computers, family photo albums and other effects. They also went to the home of Mr. Kurush Eyrevan ( کوروش ایروان ), but he was not at home.
~~~~~~

Another Bahai business closed in Semnan

Khabar Navard, April 7

On February 18, local authorities revoked the operating licence of a business belonging to `Ali Tabiyaniyan (علی تبیانیان). The reason given was “violations,” without specifying what rule might have been broken. Enquiries did not result in clarity, until eventually it was explained that “the order came from above; we are not responsible.” For some years, the Bahais of Semnan have been under economic pressure and other forms of repression, intended to encourage them to leave Iran or got to other cities, so as to cut the links between Bahais and other Iranians, and so “stop them spreading their lies.” The repression in Semnan, especially in the past four years, has included repeated arrests, unfair trials and long prison sentences, arson, breaking the windows of homes and cars, graffiti slogans, the destruction of cemeteries, repeated interrogations, the closing of shops and other businesses and other ways in which Bahais can earn a living, and the harassment and defamation of Baha’i children in schools.

Source (in Persian)

Update May 6: Khabarnavard reports that, following the cancellation of the business licence, the shop was physically closed down on May 3.
~~~~~~~

Historic Christian cemetery in Kerman vandalised

Mohabat News, April 5

A Christian cemetery in Kerman province has been completely destroyed. The destruction follows the demolition, at night, of a historic church in Kerman and the vandalism of others. The cemetery, in the grounds of an old fortress, was said by local people to be more than 200 years old. Muhammad Mahdi Afzali (محمدمهدی افضلی), Director of public relations for the Cultural Heritage of Kerman, said that “the cemetery has been destroyed by the local authority and the Cultural Heritage foundation to facilitate projects around this fort, and the fort of Ardeshir.” But in an interview with a government news agency, he denied this.

Source (in Persian)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Iqan Shahidi to begin sentence

PCED, April 6

Iqan Shahidi ( ایقان شهیدی ), a Bahai active in the struggle for equal educational
opportunities, has been summoned to Evin Prison in Tehran to begin serving his 5-year sentence. He is at present free on bail, which would be forfeit if he did not answer the summons. The review court has already confirmed his sentence. He was charged with membership of an illegal organisation, the Committee for the Right to Education (PCED), propaganda against the regime, and membership of the Bahai community.

Source (in Persian)

Update, April 11: Khabar Navard reports that Iqan Shahidi has been transferred to Raja’i Shahr prison, on the Western outskirts of Tehran.
~~~~~~~~~~~

Erfan Shoja’i free on bail

HRANA, April 4

Erfan Shoja’i ( عرفان شجاعی ), a Bahai from Kerman who was arrested on February 19, was released on bail on March 25. He was arrested outside his house, which was then searched. Numerous personal effects were seized by the agents of the Ministry of Intelligence. His arrest relates to the celebration of Iranian Bahai Youth day on January 5: he organised a meeting to mark that day, which was held at the home of another Bahai in Kerman.

Source (in Persian)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Another arrest in the Mashhad

HRANA, April 3

On April 2, Negar Mulkzadeh ( نگار ملک زاده ), a Bahai resident of Mashhad, reported to the office of the Ministry of Intelligence in response to a summons, and was arrested. It is not known where she is being held. She was one of the Bahais involved in organising a handicrafts exhibition to raise money for the disadvantaged, on February 17. Ten Bahais were arrested at the exhibition, held in a private home. To date, six have been released after one month’s detention, and four remain in prison. Their names are Houriyyeh Mohsani, Negin Ahmadiyan, Noghmeh Dhabiheyan and Shayan Tafazzoli (حوریه محسنی، نگین احمدیان، نغمه ذبیحیان و شایان تفضلی).

Source (in Persian)
~~~~~~~~

United4Iran and Bahais demonstrate for prisoners of conscience in Iran

Sen’s Daily, April 1

Today, the seven Bahai Yaran or facilitators, who are serving 20-year sentences in Raja’i Shahr prison near Tehran, have been imprisoned for a total of 10,000 days (almost 4 years each). The human rights organisation United4Iran decided to seek publicity for their plight, and the imprisonment of the human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and women’s rights activist Bahareh Hedayat, by organising simultaneous events in 10 cities around the world (Sydney, Berlin, London, Paris, New Delhi, Washington, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Capetown, Wellington, and Amsterdam).

In Amsterdam, the event was supported by the Dutch Bahai community. The participants used the bridges and canals of Amsterdam to good effect to call attention to the plight of the Yaran, and other prisoners of conscience. Rather than carrying banners (not very practical in Amsterdam’s narrow streets), the participants were accompanied on the water by a boat bearing a large billboard. The faces of the seven Yaran on the billboard are composed of thousands of micro-thumbnail photos: portraits of some of Iran’s many prisoners of conscience. Passers-by (and readers of this blog) are asked to join a letter-writing campaign organised by United 4 Iran. A few of Amsterdam’s thousand bridges were used for photo shoots.
~~~~~~~~

No clarity for 10 Bahais detained in Shiraz

HRANA, March 31

Twelve Baha’is from Shiraz remain in prison, in a state of uncertainty. Ten of them have been imprisoned for the past two months. They are Yekta Fahandezh, Mezhdeh Falah, Mazhgan `Amadi, Eyman Rahmat-Penah, Nima Dehqan Munshadi, Farshid Yazdani, Farid `Amadi, Sina Sarikhani, Sam Jaberi and Houman Zara`i, ( یکتا فهندژ، مژده فلاح، مژگان عمادی، ایمان رحمت پناه، نیما دهقان منشادی، فرشید یزدانی، فرید عمادی، سینا ساریخانی، سام جابری، هومن زارعی ). In addition, Kavus Samimi and Kambiz Habibi ( کاووس صمیمی و کامبیز حبیبی ) have been in prison for the past two weeks, in similar uncertainty. Mrs. Yekta Fahandezh, Mezhdeh Falah and Mazhgan `Amadi have all been transferred to Adel Abad prison.

After repeated attempts, the families of these Bahais were able to meet the judge on March 24, at the end of the public holiday marking the Iranian new year. He too had no clear information about the situation of the prisoners. Thus far, the families’ have not been able to arrange a new meeting with the judge, and the prosecutor.

Source (in Persian)
~~~~

Four Bahai prisoners denied leave

HRANA, March 30

Four Bahais from Shiraz serving 10-month sentences in prison have been denied parole or short-term prison leave since the beginning of their sentences. Vahdat Dana, Afshin Ehsaniyan, Keyvan Kerami and Farham Ma`sumi (وحدت دانا، افشین احسنیان، کیوان کرمی و فرهام معصومی ) have served more than four months in Pir Banu prison. Although the judicial authorities had told them they would be allowed leave after fifty days (one sixth of their sentences), and despite repeated enquiries from their families, no leave has been granted. Vahdat Dana suffers from a heart condition, and Keyvan Kerami has severe kidney stones, but they have not been given leave for treatment. The conditional release of Keyvan Kerami and Farham Ma`sumi has also been disputed, although Mr. Kerami has served 7 months and Mr. Ma`sumi has served 6 months of 10-month sentences, and under the Prisons Act, prisoners who have served half their sentences can be given conditional leave.

Source (in Persian)
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Natolli Derakshan free on bail

PCED, March 28

Natolli Derakshan( ناتولی درخشان ), a Bahai poet and writer living in Sari, has been released on bail of 200 million rials (13,000 euros, $US18,000). He was arrested at his home by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence on February 21, and released on March 27. The charge against him is said to be “propaganda against the regime.” Last year he published an open letter to Ayatollah Khamenei, drawing attention to human rights violations against the Bahais and in Iran, the exclusion of Bahai youth from tertiary education, and the false denials of these facts by Iran’s representatives at the United Nations. Mr. Derakshan himself is excluded from tertiary education because he is a Bahai.

Source (in Persian)
~~~~~~~~~~

Bakhtiyar Rasekhi transferred to an unknown destination

HRANA, March 22

Bakhtiyar Rasekhi (بختیار راسخی) is one of four Bahais from Kerman who have been detained by the Ministry of Intelligence in the city since January 5. He has been transferred to an unknown destination, and in the 75 days of his detention has had no contact with his family except for a 5-minute meeting with his daughter and two telephone calls with his family. His wife and daughter, Farhnaz Na`imi and Farin Rahimi ( فرحناز نعیمی و فرین رحیمی ) were among those detained when agents from the security forces raided a home where the Bahais were marking the day of Iranian Youth.

Source (in Persian)
~~~~~~~~

Shiraz arrestees transferred to prisons

HRANA, March 22

On March 16, the 10 Bahais arrested in Shiraz in early March were transferred from detention centre 100 in Shiraz to Kayan Abad prison (for women) and Adel Abad prison. Their families received a court letter allowing them to visit their imprisoned relatives, but after waiting at the prisons for hours they were allowed just 10 minutes of contact.

Source (in Persian)
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Israel renews tax-exempt status of Bahai World Center

Jerusalem Post, March 20

Israel’s Justice Ministry has announced that it has renewed a deal with the Bahai World Center exempting it from indirect taxes for another five-year term. The tax arrangement was originally agreed upon between the state and the Bahai movement in 1987.

The Justice Ministry said that the government views the Bahai holy places as among the most important tourist sites in the whole country, and underlined the importance of the relationship with the Bahai World Centre, especially for the activities that it has done to help develop the Galilee region

The government will transfer funds equivalent to any indirect [tax] outlays incurred by the World Bahai Center or any of its associated non-profit organizations for activities it carries out in operating and developing the sites.

Full story
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Who owns enlarging shoreline by the Wilmette Temple?

Chicago Tribune, March 22

In 1951, the Bahais bought a property known as the Marshall land, on the lake shore at Wilmette near to the Bahai House of Worship. At the time it had a sliver of beach along the lake shore. It’s now about two acres, thanks either to a natural accumulation of sand or perhaps some man-made help. The ownership of the new land became controversial when a Wilmette Park District official said it would enhance the value of an adjacent boat harbor.

Who owns the new property depends on whether it was created artificially — and by whom — or if it developed naturally. If it developed naturally, state officials say it simply becomes additional Baha’i property. But if it’s been man-made, and as a result of a Baha’i effort, it defaults to the state of Illinois.

Ron Gould, national properties manager for the Baha’i Faith, said he isn’t sure how the property grew. The organization doesn’t have records on that parcel of the land and insists it wasn’t involved in any expansion. “We certainly are under the impression that it’s our property,” Gould said. “That’s a private beach, and we do use it and we intend to keep using it.”

Full story
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Report on the status of Bahai prisoners in Iran

HRANA, March 20

The Human Rights Activists’ News Agency (HRANA) reports that, as Now Ruz approaches, 67 Bahai prisoners remain in detention in Iran. Of these, 43 are sentenced prisoners, serving a total of 260 years in prison, and 24 are in detention in the offices of the Ministry of Intelligence. Many others were in prison or detained during the course of the year, but were freed as they completed their sentences, or are free on bail pending their sentences. A number of Bahais, including Sho`aleh Ta’ef and Mehran Bandi ( شعله طائف و مهران بندی ) are in internal exile, having completed their time in prison.

The known prisoners at present are:

Tehran (Evin – for women):
1 – Fariba Kamalabadi (sentence of 20 years)فریبا کمال آبادی
2 – Mahvash Sabet (20 years) مهوش ثابت
3 – Nowshin Khadem (4 years) نوشین خادم
4 – Manijheh Nasrollahi (3 years) منیژه نصرالهی

Tehran (Evin – Section 350):
5 – Shahram Chinayan (8 years) شهرام چینیان
6 – Payman Kashfi (4 years) پیمان کشفی
7 – Afshin Hirtiyan (4 years) افشین حیرتیان
8 – Shahrukh Ta’if (4 years) شاهرخ طائف
9 – Foad Khanjani (4 years) فواد خانجانی
10 – Didar Ra’ufi (3 years) دیدار رئوفی
11 – Sama Nurani (1 year) سما نورانی

Karaj (Rajai Shahr prison):
12 – Jamaluddin Khanjani (20 years) جمال الدین خانجانی
13 – Vahid Tizfahm (20 years) وحید تیزفهم
14 – Afif Na`imi (20 years) عفیف نعیمی
15 – Behruz Tavakkoli (20 years) بهروز توکلی
16 – Sa`id Reza’i (20 years) سعید رضایی
17 – Kamran Morteza’i (5 years) کامران مرتضایی
18 – Mahmud Badevam (4 years) محمود بادوام
19 – Farhad Sedaqi (4 years) فرهاد صدقی
20 – Ramin Zeba’i (4 years) رامین زیبایی
21 – Riaz Sobhani (4 years) ریاض سبحانی
22 – Kamran Rahimian (sentenced to 4 years – subject to appeal) کامران رحیمیان

Mashhad:
23 – Davar Nabilzadeh (5 years) داور نبیل زاده
24 – Jalayer Wahdat (5 years) جلایر وحدت
25 – Sima Eshraqi (5 years) سیما اشراقی
26 – Rozita Waseqi (5 years) رزیتا واثقی
27 – Nahid Qadiri (5 years) ناهید قدیری
28 – Sima Rajabiyan (2 years) سیما رجبیان
29 – Nasrin Qadiri (2 years) نسرین قدیری
30 – Kaviz Nuzdehi (2 years) کاویز نوزدهی
31 – Houman Bakhtavar (2 years) هومن بخت آور
32 – Ezzatollah Ahmadiyan (in detention) عزت الله احمدیان
33 – Shahzad Khalili (in detention) شهزاد خلیلی
34 – Hurriyyeh Mohseni (in detention) حوریه محسنی
35 – Negin Ahmadiyan (in detention)نگین احمدیان
36 – Arman Mokhtari (in detention) آرمان مختاری
37 – Noghmeh Dhabihayan (in detention) نغمه ذبیحیان
38 – Shayan Tafazzoli (in detention) شایان تفضلی

Shiraz:
39 – Keyvan Karami (sentenced to 10 months) کیوان کرمی
40 – Wahdat Dana (10 months) وحدت دانا
41 – Afshin Ahsanayan (10 months) افشین احسنیان
42 – Farham Ma`sumi (10 months) فرهام معصومی
43 – Nima Dehqani (in detention) نیما دهقان
44 – Yekta Fahndazh (in detention) یکتا فهندژ
45 – Mazhgan `Emadi (in detention) مژگان عمادی
46 – Sam Jaberi (in detention) سام جابری
47 – Sina Sarikhani (in detention) سینا ساریخانی
48 – Farid `Emadi (in detention) فرید عمادی
49 – Mazhdeh Fallah (in detention) مژده فلاح
50 – Farshid Yazdani (in detention) فرشید یزدانی
51 – ‘Iman Rahmat-penah (temporary detention) ایمان رحمت پناه
52 – Houman Zara`i (in detention) هومن زارعی
53 – Kambiz Habibi (in detention) کامبیز حبیبی
54 – Kavus Samimi (in detention) کاووس صمیمی

Semnan:
55 – Afshin Iqany (4 years and 3 months) افشین ایقانی
56 – Behfar Khanjani (4 years) بهفر خانجانی
57 – Siamak Iqany (3 years) سیامک ایقانی
58 – Nader Kesa’i (3 years) نادر کسایی
59 – `Ali Ehsani (2 years) علی احسانی

Kerman:
60 – `Erfan Shoja`i (in detention) عرفان شجاعی
61 – Bakhtiyar Rasekhi (temporary detention) بختیار راسخی
62 – Farhnaz Na`imi (in detention) فرحناز نعیمی
63 – Farin Rasekhi(temporary detention) فرین راسخی

Sari:
64 – Houshang Fana’ayan (sentenced to 4 years) هوشنگ فناییان
65 – Anwar Muslimi (1 year) انور مسلمی
66 – Natoly Derakhshan (temporary detention) ناتولی درخشان

Yasuj:
67 – `Ali Baksh-bazhar Afkan (2 years and 6 months) علی بخش بذر افکن

Source (in Persian)
~~~~~

Three Bahais free on bail in Mashhad

HRANA, March 18

On March 17, Navid Nabili, Behnaz Hudadzadeh and Fattaneh Hajipour ( نوید نبیلی، بهناز حدادزاده و فتانه حاجی پور ) were released on bail of 60 million tuman (40,000 euros / 53,000 US dollars). They were among ten Bahais arrested a month ago, in connection with an exhibition of handcrafts to raise funds for disadvantaged children.

Source (in Persian)
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More Bahai homes targetted in Shiraz

CHRR, March 17

On the morning of March 17, security agents raided the home shared by seven Bahais in Shiraz. Their personal effects and religious materials were seized. It is said that Kavus Samimi and Kambiz Habibi (کاووس صمیمی و کامبیز حبیبی), two of the residents, were arrested and taken to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention centre 100 in Shiraz. Security agents also went to a number of other Bahai homes in the city, but did not search them because the Bahais were not at home.

Source (in Persian)
~~~~~~

Two Bahais in Mashhad sentenced

HRANA, March 17

Dari Amri ( دری امری ), a Bahai resident of Mashhad, has been sentenced to one year in prison for ‘propaganda against the regime by teaching the Bahai Faith.’ He was arrested last summer, and was released on bail after several months in prison. Mona Reza’i ( و مونا رضایی ), another Bahai from Mashhad who was named as the second defendant in the same case, has also been sentenced to one year in prison, but with the sentence suspended for several years. She was also arrested last summer, and was freed on bail after 10 days in prison.

Source (in Persian)
~~~~~

National judo representative barred from competitions and university

HRANA, and PCED March 16

Khashayar Zara`i (خشایار زارعی), a member of Iran’s national judo team, and highly ranked among the youth and young adults, has been expelled from his university, because of his Bahai beliefs. He was in the first semester of a course in architecture at the University of Shiraz. On March 12 he was informed, at the University’s administrative office, that he had been expelled, and enquiries since then have been fruitless. He has been selected for the national judo team three times, but is barred from participating in Asian and world competitions.

Source (in Persian)
~~~~~~

Bahai student expelled from Yazd University

Bahai News Service (Persian), March 4

Mr. Meshkat Shadepour ( مشکات شادپور ), a student of computer studies at the Imam `Ali University in Yazd, has been expelled because of his religious beliefs.

Source (in Persian)
~~~~~~

Continued detentions for 10 in Shiraz; two freed

RAHANA, March 10

Samira Momtazian and Payam Taslimi ( سمیرا ممتازیان و پیام تسلیمی ), two of the Bahais arrested in Shiraz early on February 3 and 5, have been released on bail of 100 million tumans ($US90,000 / 67,000 euros). There have been concerns about Payam Taslimi’s health in prison, because he has thyroid cancer and requires medical treatment. Samira Momtazian’s name was previously reported as Samitra ( سمیترا ممتازیان ).

Ten other Bahais arrested at the same time remain in prison. The families of those arrested have inquired with all the authorities in Shiraz, and some have gone to Tehran to enquire there. An official at the revolutionary court in Tehran told one of the Bahais, “the Bahais in Iran have no right even to life itself being a Bahai is a crime.”

Source (in Persian)
~~~~~~

Bahai school pupil expelled for her beliefs

PCED, March 11

Afrouz Dhabihi ( افروز ذبیحی ), a senior secondary school student in Sari, has been expelled from a school for talented students because of her Bahai beliefs. In the current year, she participated in the school’s highest level examination and achieved a first grade pass. She was also the school’s top student in examinations run in the province by the Organisation for the Development of Talented Students, and first in the province in a physics competion. She completed the first semester of the year with a school grade of 19.82.

Previously, in her fifth year of primary school and third year of secondary school, she had been denied admittance to the school for gifted students because of her Bahai beliefs. Two sisters and a brother have also been excluded in the past from tertiary education and the school for gifted students, although they had obtained the necessary qualifications. Her father also was expelled from the Department of Mathematics, and her mother from a course in Nursing, because of their Bahai beliefs. Recently, a confidential instruction to schools to identify Bahai students was leaked.

Source (in Persian)
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Afif Naeimi transferred to hospital

HRANA, March 10

Afif Naeimi ( عفیف نعیمی ), one of the seven Bahai Yaran or facilitators serving 20-year sentences in Raja’i Shahr prison near Tehran, was transferred from jail to hospital for a CT scan on March 7. He is suffering from an inflammation of the lymph glands in his throat, acerbated by lack of medical care.

Source (in Persian)
~~~~~~

Four Bahais sentenced in Mashhad

HRANA, March 10

Four Bahai residents of Mashhad have been sentenced to 18 months in prison. Their names are given as Anisa Dehqani, Kivan Dehqani, Ayah Anvari and Sanaz Tafazzoli (انیسا دهقانی، کیوان دهقانی، آیه انوری و ساناز تفضلی). They were charged with membership of the Bahai Administration and propaganda against the regime. They were tried on February 22 and 23. A fourth accused, Farhoud Eshtiyaq ( فرهود اشتیاق ), was sent by the court to face trial in Isfahan, where he lives. In fact, four of the five accused in this case are from Isfahan. Kivan Dehqani and Ayah Anvari were arrested in Isfahan on June 27, 2011, and sent to the Ministry of Intelligence in Mashhad. Anisa Dehqani lives in Isfahan, and was arrested in the street in Mashhad when she was there on a visit. Sanaz Tafazzoli however lives in Mashhad: she was arrested there on June 27, 2011.

Source (in Persian)
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Detention orders for Kerman 3 extended

RAHANA, March 10

Three Bahais from Kerman are to be held in custody for a further two months, following the extension of their detention orders. Bakhtiyar Rasekhi (بختیار راسخی) and his wife and daughter, Farhnaz Na`imi and Farin Rahimi ( فرحناز نعیمی و فرین رحیمی ) have already been detained, because of their religious beliefs, for more than two months. They were arrested when agents from the security forces raided a home where the Bahais were marking the day of Iranian Youth. Last week, Farhnaz Na`imi and Farin Rahimi were transferred to the general wing of Kerman Prison, after fifty days in solitary detention. Mr. Rasekhi remains in solitary confinement. The RAHANA report does not provide any new information about Erfan Shoja’i ( عرفان شجاعی ), a fourth Bahai from Kerman, who was arrested on February 20.

Source (in Persian)
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Sharam Chiniyan Meyandoab sent to Evin prison

Bahai News Service (Persian), March 4

Mr. Sharam Chiniyan Meyandoab (شهرام چینیان میان دو آب), a Bahai resident of Hassan Abad, who as previously reported was sentenced to 70 lashes and 8 years in prison, on a charge of insulting Islam, has had his sentence confirmed by the review court. He has been summoned to begin serving his sentence, and sent to Evin prison. He was first arrested in March 2009 and released on March 3, 2010, after using his business license as bail. It appears that the accusation of insulting Islam was raised by his neighbour, following a legal dispute regarding the use of a right of way.

Source (in Persian)
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New information on the detention and release of Amilia Esmailipour

Bahai News Service (Persian), March 4

New information has emerged about the detention and release of Amilia Esmailipour (امیلیا اسماعیل پور) in Gonabad. Previously it was reported that her shop and home were searched and she was imprisoned for 48 hours on a charge of “illicit relations.” It is now clear that her shop and home were searched by officials from the Ministry of Intelligence and the Office of Public Places, and she was held for five days before being released on bail of 100 million tumans ($US90,000 / 67,000 euros). The officials who came to her house had a court order and said she was charges with promoting the Bahai Faith. During her trial the charge was “inviting people to corruption, prostitution and illicit relations” – which is how the regime commonly refers to membership of the Bahai community. A few days after her release, officials closed her business, and she was forced to leave the premises.

Source (in Persian)
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A new administrative difficulty for Iran’s youth

Bahai News Service (Persian), March 6

The recent introduction of a new electronic form, by the Ministry of Defence, prevents Bahai youth in Iran from applying for exemption for military service. The question about “religion” in the form allows only the options Muslim, Zoroastrian, Christian or Jewish. So Bahais, Hindus, and people of no religion cannot complete the form. Baha’i youth who have reported this problem to the conscription office were told that the form was controlled by the central office for conscription, and that this office would be consulted about the possibility of adding “other” to the possible answers. However there has been no response or change so far. Those who reported this problem are now known to the authorities as Bahais. If they cannot obtain a certificate of exemption, their exemption may become invalid.

Source (in Persian)
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14 Bahais summoned in Qorveh

RAHANA, March 8

In recent months, 14 Bahai residents of the city of Qorveh, in Iranian Kurdistan, have been summoned to the local offices of the Ministry of Intelligence. They were questioned about Bahai meetings in the city, who participates in them and how they are organised, and were asked for the names of their relatives in other countries, what ncome they (the people questioned) had, their relationships with non-Bahais, and how interested they would be in leaving Iran.

Source (in Persian)
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Two Bahais arrested in Mashhad

HRANA, March 7

On the morning of March 7, agents of Iranian Intelligence searched the homes of two Bahais in Mashhad, Houriyyeh Mohsani (حوریه محسنی) and Negin Ahmadiyan (نگین احمدیان), seizing computers, CDs, books and religious images. They then arrested the two ladies, and took them to an unknown place. Eight other Bahais from Mashhad have been detained for more than two weeks.

Source (in Persian)
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Abdolfattah Soltani jailed for 18 years

The Guardian, March 4

Abdolfattah Soltani, a prominent Iranian human rights lawyer who, with Shirin Ebadi, defended the seven “Yaran” (national facilitators for the Bahai community in Iran), has been sentenced to 18 years in prison by a Tehran court. He was also banned from exercising his profession for 20 years and will be sent to a remote prison in the city of Borazjan, about 620 miles south-west of Tehran, where it will be difficult for his family to visit him.

Soltani, 58, co-founded a human rights group with Iranian Nobel Peace prize laureate Shirin Ebadi. He was arrested last year and has been held in Tehran’s Evin prison. The family will seek to appeal against the ruling. His daughter Maede Soltani says he was charged with co-founding the Center for Human Rights Defenders, spreading anti-government propaganda, endangering national security and accepting an illegal prize – a reference to a German human rights prize he was awarded in 2009.

Full story.
CHRR report in Persian
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Iranian schools ordered to identify Bahai pupils

HRANA, February 27

Iran’s Ministry of Education has issued a directive to the country’s schools, to identify and report to the Ministry any Bahai pupils at their schools. HRANA has obtained a copy of a document sent to the schools in Tehran district, demanding that they implement this directive.

Source (in Persian)
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Student expelled in Sari

PCED, February

Yasmin Fana’eyan (یاسمن فنائیان), a Bahai in her first year of a course in accountancy at the Peyam-e Nour University in Sari, has been expelled because of her adherence to Bahai beliefs. She was reprimanded for her beliefs several times in the course of the first term of her study, and expelled at the end of the term.

Source (in Persian)
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Fourth Bahai arrested in Kerman

HRANA, February 26

Erfan Shoja’i ( عرفان شجاعی ), a Bahai resident of Kerman, was arrested on February 20. He was arrested outside his home, which was then searched. His computer and a number of books were seized. Court officials said that his arrest related to the cases of three other Bahais arrested in Kerman on January 6, when security forces raided the home of Bakhtiyar Rasekhi (بختیار راسخی), taking videos and photographs of the Bahai youth there, and arresting Mr. Rasekhi and his wife and daughter, Farhnaz Na`imi and Farin Rasekhi ( فرحناز نعیمی و فرین راسخی ).

Source (in Persian)
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Student expelled in Babol

PCED, February 25

Shahin Mousu’i ( شاهین موسوی ), a Bahai student of Civil Engineering at the non-profit Tabri University in Babol, has been expelled because of his religious beliefs. University officials first denied him entry to classes, and referred him to a supervisory board. Later he was barred from the University, and told he should take the matter up with the Ministry of Science. However neither the Ministry nor the supervisory board has responded to his questions. A number of Bahai students have been expelled in this way in the past month, from universities in Isfahan, Mashhad and other places.

Source (in Persian)
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Bahai arrested in Shiraz

HRANA, February 23

Houman Zara`i ( هومن زارعی ), a Bahai resident of Shiraz, was arrested in his workplace on the morning of February 23. They had first gone to his home, but he was already at work. He was taken to Detention centre 100 in Shiraz.

Source (in Persian)
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No news of the eleven Bahais arrested in Shiraz

RAHANA, February 25

More than two weeks after they were arrested, on February 3 and 6, there is still no news of the condition of eleven Bahais arrested in Shiraz, despite continuing enquiries from their families. There are concerns about the health of Payam Taslimi ( پیام تسلیمی ), who has thyroid cancer and requires medical treatment.

Source (in Persian)
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Taraneh Turabi sentenced: 5 years and 10 months

Taraneh Turabi ( ترانه ترابی ), a Bahai resident of Semnan, has been sentenced to 5 years and 10 months in prison on charges of “setting up and running an illegal group with organisational goals (meaning, a group relating to the Bahai community), which benefit foreigners and those dissatisfied with the regime (referring to the fact that persecuting the Bahais gives the IRI a bad name internationally, and fuels dissatisfaction at home); membership of an illegal group (the Bahai religion) whose aim is to attract Muslims and promote organisational goals in opposition to the regime and favourable to foreigners; and propaganda against the sacred regime of the Islamic Republic, to the benefit of foreigners.”

Source (in Persian)
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Two Bahais in Mashhad sentenced

HRANA,

Zhila Rezvani and Sa`ideh Faroughi ( ژیلا رضوانی و سعیده فروغی ), two Bahais living in Mashhad, have been given 4-month sentences for teaching the Bahai Faith, the sentences suspended for five years. They were arrested in June 2011, and released on bail soon after, pending trial.

Source (in Persian)
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Baha’i writer arrested in Sari

RAHANA, February 22

Natolli Derakshan( ناتولی درخشان ), a Bahai poet and writer living in Sari, was arrested by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence on February 21. Seven agents searched his home and took away all his books, as well as religious CDs and pictures, pictures of his family, and a box of a book of his poetry, which was published with permission from the Ministry of Culture. The home of his father, in the village of Ivel, was one of about 50 Bahai homes in the village which were destroyed last summer. Mr. Derakshan is excluded from tertiary education because he is a Bahai.

Source (in Persian)

March 2: HRANA reports that bail has been set, although his family are unaware of the details.
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Eight Bahai youth arrested in Mashhad

RAHANA, February 18

On February 17, security forces in Mashhad arrested eight Bahai youth who were holding a handicrafts exhibition in the home of one of the Bahais. The names of those arrested are reported as Ezatollah Ahmadian, Shayan Tafazzoli, Navid Nabili, Shahrzad Khalili, Fattaneh Hajipour, Arman Mukhtari, Behnaz Hundadzadeh and Noghmeh Dhabiheyan-Esami ( عزت الله احمدیان، شایان تفضلی، نوید نبیلی، شهرزاد خلیلی، فتانه حاجی پور، آرمان مختاری، بهناز حدادزاده و نغمه ذبیحیان اسامی ). Other participants in the exhibition were given forms and required to fill in their personal details. There has been an increase in house searches and arrests of Bahais in Iran in recent weeks.

Source (in Persian)

February 20: Khabarnavard adds that the handicrafts exhibition was being held to raise money for those in need, and that officials in Mashhad recently arrested some Bahai youth who were holding a presentation on methods of giving up smoking, in a park.
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Salafi spokesman in Egypt: “Bahais threaten national security”

Egypt Independent, February 18

Abdel Moneim al-Shahat, a spokesperson for the Salafi movement in Alexandria and unsuccessful parliamentary candidate, said that the state should protect itself from those who claim that the Baha’i faith is a religion.

“We will prosecute the Bahai’s on charge of treason,” Shahat said, in a telephone call with the host of the al-Haqiqa (The Truth) TV program. “We as Salafis refuse to deal with Baha’is, because they do not exist by virtue of their faith.”

According to Shahat, Bahai’s are not entitled to rights under Islam because they do not belong and are not recognized by the religion, and any new constitution should not include an amendment protecting their rights. He cited an Al-Azhar ruling that said Baha’is are not Muslims.

Baha’is, who number between 500 and 2,000 in Egypt, call their faith’s 19th-century founder, Bahaa, a prophet — sacrilege to Muslims who believe Mohamed to be God’s final messenger. [Bahais also preach the separation of religion and politics, as a religious teaching, which does not endear them to the Salafists, or to Iran's theocratic regime ~Sen]

Baha’is face systematic discrimination in Egypt. In 2008, Baha’is won the right to obtain government identity papers so long as they omit any reference to their faith, but it is still not possible for them to register their marriages, which means that married Bahais also cannot obtain identity cards, necessary for numerous daily transactions.

Full story (in English)
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Bahai student expelled in Amol

PCED, February 15

Shima Moufeqi ( شیما موفقی ), a Bahai studying management at the private, non-profit, University of North Amol, has been expelled because of her Bahai beliefs. First, university officials prevented her attending classes, and referred her to the university’s disciplinary body. After that, university security staff prevented her entering the university, saying she should go to the Ministry of Science. Her inquiries have not been answered.

Source (in Persian)
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Robe of Abdu’l-Baha displayed at royal interfaith audience

February 16

In one of the Queen’s first public engagements to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee year, an interfaith reception held at Lambeth Palace, Queen Elizabeth II has spoken of her belief that the Church of England has “a duty to protect the free practice of all faiths” in the UK. She argued the Church’s role was not to “defend Anglicanism to the exclusion of other religions” and that the concept of an established Church was “occasionally misunderstood” and “commonly under-appreciated”.

The Queen and Prince Philip were greeted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, before meeting representatives of the Baha’i, Buddhist, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, and Zoroastrian communities, as well as Christian representatives. Each community presented a treasured object or text of importance to their faith. The Bahai representatives displayed a black robe worn by Abdu’l-Baha.

Sources: BBC and the Archbishop of Canterbury‘s web site.
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Summary of persecutions in Sari, Qaemshahr, Gorgan and Gonabad

Bahai News Service (Persian), February 11

A number of similar abuses of the human and civil rights of Bahais occured in the provinces of Mazandaran and Golestan from January 2 to 12. More than 60% of the workshops of Bahais in Sari and Qaemshahr, and a number in Gorgan and Gonabad — a total of more than 50 sites — were searched, leading to threats or arrests of the Bahais. Officials even searched the homes of Bahais whose shops had been shut down more than two years ago. In Gonabad, the shop and home of Amalia Esmailipour ( املیا اسماعیل‌پور ) was searched and she was imprisoned for 48 hours on a charge of “illicit relations.”

Source (in Persian)
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Two Bahais sentenced in Semnan province

RAHANA, February 15

Goudarz Bidaqi (گودرز بیدقی ), a Bahai resident of Sangsar, in Semnan province has been sentenced to one year in prison and three years of exile from the province, on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” He was arrested in March, 2010. His daughter, Roufiya Bidaqi ( روفیا بیدقی ), has also been sentenced to one year in prison, on charges of propaganda against the regime and participation in Bahai activities. She was arrested in her shop in November 2010. The family business has been closed by the authorities, without a clear reason, since April 2011, and its licence has been revoked. Sangsar is a town lying about 180 km East of Tehran.

Source (in Persian)
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Four more arrests in Shiraz

As previously reported, on February 3 more than 30 Bahai homes in Shiraz were searched in simultaneous raids, and 8 Bahais were arrested, while others were summoned. On February 7, four more Bahais were arrested: Samitra Momtazian, Farshid Yazdani, Eyman Rahmat-Penah and Farid `Amadi (سمیترا ممتازیان، فرشید یزدانی، ایمان رحمت پناه و فرید عمادی). Eyman Rahmat-Penah and Farid `Amadi were among the four who were previously reported to have been summoned to appear at detention centre 100 on February 4. In addition, Tahireh Nawruzi and Sa’id Dehqan ( طاهره نوروزی و سعید دهقان نیز) have been summoned (the latter apparently for a second time, since he was among those summoned previously). Their homes were among those searched in the raids.

Source (in Persian)
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Bahai student expelled from Tehran University

PCED, February 9

Sayyid Keyan Hashemi Dehaj ( سید کیان هاشمی دهج ), a Bahai student in the third semester of a course on water-related agricultural engineering at Tehran University has been expelled following a direct instruction from the Ministry of Intelligence. The reason given was that he is a follower of the Bahai Faith. According to an official of the Student Disciplinary Committee, at the Ministry of Science, “there is a law in which Bahais can not continue studying.” Mr. Hashemi Dehaj reported that the officials who implemented his expulsion insulted him and his religion.

Source (in Persian)
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Multiple arrests of Bahais in Shiraz

PCED, February 3

This morning, agents of the security services raided the homes of Bahais in Shiraz, and there were widespread arrests. Among those detained were Nima Dehqan, Mezhdeh Falah, Mazhgan `Amadi, Sam Jarberi, Sina Sarikhani, Bijan Falah and Zhinous Fana’iyan (نیما دهقان، مژده فلاح، مژگان عمادی، سام جابری، سینا ساریخانی، بیژن فلاح، ژینوس فنائیان). Reports indicate that more than these 7 Bahais were arrested.

Source (in Persian)

Update: February 5: It appears that more than 30 Bahai homes were searched in simultaneous raids, between 7 a.m. and noon on Friday, and that at least 11 Bahais have been arrested. Bijan Falah, who is named above, was not one of those arrested. The updated list contains eight names: Mezhdeh Falah, Mazhgan `Amadi, Nima Dehqani, Sina Sarikhani, Zhinous Fana’iyan, Sam Jaberi, and three not previously mentioned: Yekta Fahandezh, Fa’ezeh Tashakkur and Noura Falah (مژده فلاح، مژگان عمادی، نیما دهقان، سینا ساریخانی، یکتا فهندژ، سام جابری، فائزه تشکر، نورا فلاح و ژینوس فنائیان). They are being held in detention centre 100 in Shiraz, although four of them were breifly released before being detained again and transferred to Centre 100. Numerous personal possessions, computers, CDs, photographs and books were seized. A number of the Bahais whose homes were searched, including Rozita Eslami, Eyman Rahmat-Penah, Farid `Amadi and Sa’id Dehqan (رزیتا اسلامی، ایمان رحمت پناه، فرید عمادی و سعید دهقان) were summoned to detention centre 100 on February 4.
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Kamran Rahimiyan and Faran Hesami sentenced: 4 years

PCED, January 31

Kamran Rahimiyan and Faran Hesami (کامران رحیمیان و فاران حسامی), a Bahai couple who are among those arrested during the crackdown on the Bahai Open University (BIHE), have both been sentenced to four years in prison. They were charged with “membership of the Bahai community, and “meeting and colluding to disturb national security.” They were arrested on September 13, 2011, and held in Evin Prison in Tehran. Faran Hesami was freed on bail in late November; her husband was held in Evin prison in Tehran, but was transfered to Rajai Shahr prison, in Karaj, after the couple’s trial on December 14 and 15.

Source (in Persian)
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Sentence of Iqan Shahidi confirmed

PCED, January 31

The review court has confirmed the sentence of 5 years in prison imposed on Iqan Shahidi (ایقان شهیدی), a Bahai student of Kermanshah who has been excluded from education. He was arrested on March 2, 2010, along with Navid Khanjani and Sama Nourani (نوید خانجانی و سما نورانی), and held in Evin prison. During his detention he was under physical and psychological pressure to make a televised confession. He was released on bail of 50 million tuman (about 350 euros) on May 11. He is charged with “membership of the illegal Association for the Right to Education,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “membership of the Bahai community.”

Source (in Persian)
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Sadaf Thabetayan sentenced: 2 years

HRANA, January 31

Sadaf Thabetayan ( صدف ثابتیان ), one of the Bahais arrested in the raids targetting the Bahai Institute for Higher Education (BIHE), has been sentenced in Tehran to two years in prison. She is from Sari, and was arrested there, along with two other Bahais, but was moved to Tehran. After being interrogated there, she was released on bail, in June 2011. The hearing to determine her sentence was held on January 8.

Source (in Persian)
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Bahrain officially registers the Association of the Bahais

Al-Awsat news, January 9

The Minister of Human Rights and Social Development in Bahrain, Fatima al-Balushi (فاطمة البلوشي) has decided to register the Bahai Social Association (الجمعية البهائية الاجتماعية) in the register of community foundations, and social and cultural associations. The Association of Bahais was founded by 12 Bahais. The rules provide that the Association may not engage in politics or in financial speculation, and may not be affiliated with any association based outside the Kingdom of Bahrain, without prior permission from the Ministry of Social Development. The association’s purposes are to contribute to the development of human resources for community service; to promote a culture of service to humanity; active participation in societal dialogue on the development of a united and fraternal society, in coordination with the competent government agencies; the education and training of children, with the approval of the competent authorities; communication, coordination and participation in service projects with agencies concerned with children and youth within Bahrain and abroad, in coordination with the relevant government agencies.

It intends to organise training sessions, workshops and seminars, and conferences aimed at enhancing skills and capabilities, with an emphasis on programmes for children and youth; to implement volunteer activities in social services, to invite specialists from inside and outside Bahrain to participate in the process of learning and training; to create a web site to identify the community association and its activities and objectives; and to cooperate with official institutions and NGOs in relation to its objectives; to participate in events organized by the local authorities or civil society, which are not inconsistent with the objectives of the Association.

Source (in Arabic)
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Elham Ruzbehi sentenced: 3 years

HRANA, January 28

Elham Ruzbehi (الهام روزبهی), a Bahai from Semnan, has been sentenced to 3 years in prison. She was arrested, with several other Bahais, on March 12, 2011, following a search of her home and the seizure of some of her personal effects. She was pregnant at the time. She was later released on bail, but on November 1, the Persian-language Bahai News Service reported that she had been summoned to the local office of the Ministry of Intelligence, along with two other Bahai residents of Semnan, and interrogated for two hours before being released. The present verdict is based on that interrogation. She is the sister in law of Mr. Behnam Mut’arefi (بهنام متعارفی), who has been in prison since July, 2010.

Five other Bahais are presently serving prison sentenced in Semnan, and one Bahai from Semnan is in prison in Evin Prison, in Tehran.

Source (in Persian)
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Bahai home raided in Sari

RAHANA, January 22

On January 21, six agents of the Ministry of Intelligence broke down the door of the home of Enayatullah Sana’i (عنایت الله سنایی), a Bahai author and poet living in Sari, and seized a number of religious books, CDs and tapes. Since Mr. Sana’i was not at home, they could not arrest him. His home had also been raided in August 2011: on that occasion with such brutality that his eardrum was rupture.

Source(in Persian)
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Sentences of BIHE teachers confirmed

The prison sentences previously given to six of the staff of the Bahai Open University (BIHE) have been confirmed by the review court in Tehran. Kamran Morteza’i (کامران مرتضایی) was sentenced to five years in prison, while Mr. Riaz Sobhani, Ramin Ziba’i, Farhad Sadeqi, Mahmud Badevam, and Mrs. Nushin Khadem (ریاض سبحانی، رامین زیبائی، فرهاد صدقی، محمود بادوام و نوشین خادم) were sentenced to four years in prison. A seventh member of staff who was arrested at the same time, Vahid Mahmudi (وحید محمودی), was also sentenced to five years in prison: this sentence was reduced and suspended by the review court, and he was released on January 8.

Source (in Persian)
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Sanandaj Bahais pressured to abandon cemetery

Zandehbad Kurdistan Blog, January 17

This blog reports that in recent days the authorities have pressured Bahai families in Sanandaj and other towns in the region. Twelve Bahai families in Sanandaj have been summoned and questioned, and pressured to abandon the cemetery known as “Golestan Javid” in the village of Hassan Abad, which is held in the name of one of these families. Their homes have also been searched, and computers, photographs and books have been seized.

Source (in Persian)
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Shahrukh Ta’ef begins his 4-year sentence

RAHANA, January 17

Mr. Shahrukh Ta’ef ( شاهرخ طائف ), a Bahai of Tehran, has been summoned to Evin Prison to begin serving a four-year sentence. He has been found guilty of “membership of the Bahai community.” He was arrested on January 14, 2009, following a search of his home, and was held in solitary confinement until March 18, 2009, when he was released on bail.

Source (in Persian)
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Fu’ad Khanjani’s 4-year sentence begins

PCED, January 17

Fu’ad Khanjani ( فؤاد خانجانی ), a Bahai student excluded from tertiary education, has begun serving his 4-year prison sentence, in Evin Prison in Tehran. He had been studying Industrial Management in Isfahan, but was expelled because of his Bahai beliefs. He was arrested on April 27, 2010, and released on bail a few days later. He had previously been arrested on March 2, 2010. His father, `Ala-aldin Khanjani (علاءالدین خانجانی) and other members of the extended family have also been arrested. His grandfather, Jamal-aldin Khanjani (جمال‌الدین خانجانی) is presently serving a 20-year sentence in Rajai Shahr prison, near Tehran. All have been imprisoned for their religious beliefs.

Source (in Persian)
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Bahai student expelled from Bojnourd University

CHRR, January 12

Shervin Fallah ( شروین فلاح), a first-year Bahai student of building technologies at the Technical Institute of Bojnourd, was informed orally on January 10 that he had been expelled because of his Bahai beliefs. In the previous two years, he had been excluded from the School of Architecture, but in October 2011 he was accepted in the course for building technologies. So far this academic year, more than 20 Bahai students have been expelled in Iran, while dozens more have been refused admission on the grounds that their applications are “incomplete.”

Source (in Persian)
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Unsuitable conditions for Hoshang Fana’ayan in Sari prison

CHRR, January 14

Hoshang Fana’ayan ( هوشنگ فنائیان ), a 48-year old Bahai from Amol who is serving a sentence in the city prison of Sari, suffers from kidney stones but was initially not hospitalised, despite his serious physical condition. He was only hospitalised briefly after he had expelled the stone, and his family were not informed. Despite his physical condition he has been denied prison leave, under various pretexts. He is being held in substandard conditions, in terms of hygiene, temperature and food, but prison authorities have thus far not taken any steps to improve them. He is also said to be under pressure from prison authorities with respect to his contacts with other prisoners. This presumably means his contacts have been restricted. He is serving a four year sentence for propaganda against the regime, membership of the Bahai community and participating in religious activities, and insulting Iran’s Supreme Leader.

Source (in Persian)
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Vahid Mahmoudi free

Khabar Navard, January 11

Vahid Mahmoudi (وحید محمودی), one of the staff at the Bahai Open University (BIHE), was released from Raja’i Shahr prison, near Tehran, on January 8, after 235 days in prison. As previously reported, he has been given a suspended sentence of four and a half years in prison, plus six months in prison, which he has already served since his arrest.

Source (in Persian)
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Another Bahai refused burial in Tabriz

RAHANA, January 12

The management of the Wadi Rahmat cemetery in Tabriz — which is ironically named after the quality of mercy — have refused to allow the burial of a Bahai there, instead requesting that the body be taken to another city. Bahai religious practices require a body to be buried within one hour’s travel of the place of death. Muhammad Husayn Barqi (محمد حسین برقی), a Bahai resident of Tabriz, had a stroke and died in his home on January 6. The family washed the body and wrapped it in a shroud, according to Bahai rites, and reported the death to the local authorities. The authorities order that the body should be taken to the Wadi Rahmat cemetery. One day later, the cemetery authorities told the family that the body should be taken to the city of Miandoab, about 160 km south of Tabriz. His children responded that his Will stipulated that he should be buried in the place where he died, and they were not willing to take him to another town. The body is now in cold storage in the morgue.

The management of this cemetery previously denied permission for Khalil Nourmuhammadi Shisheban (خلیل نورمحمدی شیشوان), who died in Tabriz on October 25, 2011, to be buried there according to Bahai rites. Bahais have been buried in the Wadi Rahmat cemetery, according to Bahai rites, since 1969, and the Bahais of Tabriz share in the cost of construction and maintenance of the cemetery.

Source (in Persian)
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Bahai student expelled from Gorgan University

PCED, January 2

Dorsa Allahvardi (درسا اله‌وردی), a first-year student of Mechanical Engineering for Agricultural Machinery, has been expelled from Gorgan University. On November 21 she was informed by telephone that her file would be reviewed because it was “incomplete.” On November 23, she was informed that she had been expelled from the University because of her Bahai beliefs. So far this academic year, more than 20 Bahai students have been expelled from universities in Iran because of their religious beliefs.

Source (in Persian)
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Bahai business closed down in Sari

RAHANA, January 9

On January 5, after a visit by the security forces to the trading premises of Arman Safa’i (آرمان صفایی), a Bahai resident of Sari, a laptop on which financial information was stored was seized, on the pretext that there was music on it. Although the security forces could not find any irregularities, they ordered the business to close down, although the legal dues had been paid and the business was functioning in accordance with its licence.

Source (in Persian)
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Three arrests in Kerman

RAHANA, January 9

On the evening of January 6, when the Bahais of Iran mark the day of Iranian Youth, agents from the security forces raided a home in Kerman belonging to Bakhtiyar Rasekhi (بختیار راسخی) in an illegal and offensive way, taking videos and photographs of the Bahai youth, and dispersed the meeting. They then spent several hours searching the home, before arresting Mr. Rasekhi and his wife and daughter. Three days later, there is still no news of where they are being held.

Source (in Persian)
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Bahai student expelled from Zahedan University

RAHANA, January 9

Shekofeh Mavdi (شکوفه مودی), a Bahai student in the first term of a degree in information engineering at the Payam-e Nur University in Zahedan, has been expelled because of her Bahai beliefs. She received a letter on December 31, saying that she had been expelled. Enquiries revealed that the decision had been made in Tehran, and was because of her Bahai beliefs.

Source (in Persian)
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Bahais seek state recognition in Hungary

MSNBC, January 6

In accordance with a new church law approved at the end of last year, 82 religious groups, including the Bahai community, have asked to be officially recognized by Parliament. They will need to gain approval from a two-thirds majority of lawmakers to retain special tax, labor and other privileges. “Neither communities nor individuals are under any constraints in the practice of their religion in Hungary,” Bence Retvari, state secretary at the Justice Ministry told the Associated Press last month. “The real objective of this law is to regularize the system of state subsidies and tax benefits, which was being abused.”

Full story
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Three Bahais arrested in Semnan

HRANA, January 5

At 9 a.m. this morning, security forces raided the home of `Adalat and Faramraz Firuzzayan(عدالت و فرامرز فیرروزیان). They searched the house, seized personal effects, a computer and some religious books before arresting them and taking them away. Their present location is unknown. The two had previously suffered from economic pressure, when the well on their agricultural land was closed, leading to the loss of their crop. At present at least 10 Bahais of Semnan are under arrest or imprisoned, while the business belonging to five Bahais have been closed.

Source (in Persian)

Update, January 8. Rahana adds the name of another Bahai arrested in Semnan. Erfan Ehsani (عرفان احسانی) was arrested on December 31.
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Increasing pressure on the Bahais in the north of Iran

CHRR, January 2

In recent weeks, more than 30 Bahais in the regions of Sari and Rasht have been summoned and interrogated in order to pressure them to leave the country.