Archive Of Baha’i Persecution (‌اسناد بهائی‌ستیزی)

Rowhanifard’s Home Searched, Family’s Electronic Devices Seized in Yazd On 15 October 2026, agents of the Intelligence Department of Yazd raided and searched the home of Mr. Soheil Rowhanifard, a Bahá’í resident of Yazd, and confiscated many electronic devices belonging to family members. Previously, on 8 June 2025, agents of the Intelligence Department had also searched the homes of Mr. Rowhanifard, his son-in-law, Mr. Milad Mohammadi, and his daughter, Mrs. Soha Rowhanifard. During those searches, the agents had confiscated a number of their personal belongings, including laptops, hard disks, mobile phones, books, and materials related to the Bahá’í Faith. #Bahai #Iran #Arrests #HomeSearches #MiladMohammadi #SohaRowhanifard

Bahá’í Photographer Navid Zarrehbin Irani Faces First Hearing After Nearly Nine Months in Detention On 4 October 2026, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad held the first hearing in the case of Mr. Navid Zarrehbin Irani, a well-known photographer and Bahá’í resident of Mashhad, after nearly nine months in detention. Accompanied by his attorneys, Mr. Zarrehbin Irani responded to the charges brought against him. The court postponed further consideration of the case to a subsequent session without concluding the proceedings. As of the time of writing, the date of the next hearing had not been announced. No details of the specific charges were disclosed. Following the hearing, Mr. Zarrehbin Irani was returned to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. Mr. Zarrehbin Irani was arrested on 15 January 2026 by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence at his home in Mashhad in the presence of his child. During the arrest, his personal belongings and professional equipment were confiscated. Following interrogations at the Ministry of Intelligence detention facility in Mashhad, he was transferred to the quarantine section of Vakilabad Prison. Since April 2026, he has been held in the prison’s security ward. On 1 July 2026, he was transferred to the Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office for his final interrogation session and to present his defense. Despite the completion of that session, authorities did not approve his release on bail. As of 2 July 2026, after 168 days in detention, he remained in custody awaiting a trial date. Mr. Zarrehbin Irani’s attorneys have formally requested his release on bail, arguing that his continued detention is unjustified in the absence of sufficient evidence. Despite repeated efforts by his family, judicial authorities have not agreed to his release on bail or temporary leave. The attorneys’ most recent request has also received no response. #Bahai #Iran #Arrests #CourtAppearances #NavidZarrehbin

Bahá’ís in Yazd Face Home Searches, Summonses, and Prison Sentences From 28 March to 15 October 2026, Bahá’ís in Yazd faced a series of security and judicial measures, including searches of homes and a farm, confiscation of personal property, dispersal of a private gathering, summonses for interrogation, prison sentences, and enforcement of a sentence. On 28 March 2026, around 50 Bahá’ís in Yazd had gathered for dinner, in keeping with a local custom, when agents of the Intelligence Department dispersed the gathering and confiscated the mobile phones of those in attendance without presenting a judicial warrant. Despite most participants approaching the legal authorities to recover their belongings, as of the time of writing, the phones had not been returned to their owners. In July 2026, approximately 12 participants were also summoned to the Intelligence Department for interrogation. No information has been provided about the official reasons for the summonses or any possible charges against them. September 2026 saw the highest number of security measures during this period. Six homes belonging to Bahá’ís in Yazd were searched that month, and agents confiscated guests’ mobile phones as well as homeowners’ belongings. On 26 August 2026, security agents searched the home of Mr. Shahrokh Nasiri and confiscated the mobile phones of six guests. On 2 and 3 September 2026, six Bahá’ís were also summoned to the Yazd Intelligence Department for interrogation; no further information has been provided about the reasons for their summonses or the outcome of their interrogations. On 12 September 2026, security agents searched the homes of three Bahá’ís and confiscated mobile phones and books found there. The three individuals were not identified. #Bahai #Iran #Arrests #HomeSearches

Rowhanifard’s Home Searched, Family’s Electronic Devices Seized in Yazd On 15 October 2026, agents of the Intelligence Department of Yazd raided and searched the home of Mr. Soheil Rowhanifard, a Bahá’í resident of Yazd, and confiscated many electronic devices belonging to family members. Previously, on 8 June 2025, agents of the Intelligence Department had also searched the homes of Mr. Rowhanifard, his son-in-law, Mr. Milad Mohammadi, and his daughter, Mrs. Soha Rowhanifard. During those searches, the agents had confiscated a number of their personal belongings, including laptops, hard disks, mobile phones, books, and materials related to the Bahá’í Faith. #Bahai #Iran #Arrests #HomeSearches #MiladMohammadi #SohaRowhanifard

Bahá’í Photographer Navid Zarrehbin Irani Faces First Hearing After Nearly Nine Months in Detention On 4 October 2026, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad held the first hearing in the case of Mr. Navid Zarrehbin Irani, a well-known photographer and Bahá’í resident of Mashhad, after nearly nine months in detention. Accompanied by his attorneys, Mr. Zarrehbin Irani responded to the charges brought against him. The court postponed further consideration of the case to a subsequent session without concluding the proceedings. As of the time of writing, the date of the next hearing had not been announced. No details of the specific charges were disclosed. Following the hearing, Mr. Zarrehbin Irani was returned to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. Mr. Zarrehbin Irani was arrested on 15 January 2026 by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence at his home in Mashhad in the presence of his child. During the arrest, his personal belongings and professional equipment were confiscated. Following interrogations at the Ministry of Intelligence detention facility in Mashhad, he was transferred to the quarantine section of Vakilabad Prison. Since April 2026, he has been held in the prison’s security ward. On 1 July 2026, he was transferred to the Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office for his final interrogation session and to present his defense. Despite the completion of that session, authorities did not approve his release on bail. As of 2 July 2026, after 168 days in detention, he remained in custody awaiting a trial date. Mr. Zarrehbin Irani’s attorneys have formally requested his release on bail, arguing that his continued detention is unjustified in the absence of sufficient evidence. Despite repeated efforts by his family, judicial authorities have not agreed to his release on bail or temporary leave. The attorneys’ most recent request has also received no response. #Bahai #Iran #Arrests #NavidZarrehbinIrani

Security Agents Damage Property During Search of Bahar Behifar’s Home in Yazd On the evening of 19 October 2026, Ministry of Intelligence agents raided a café in Yazd, where a group of Bahá’ís had gathered socially. The agents confronted those present, confiscated their mobile phones, and took a young Bahá’í with them to conduct home searches. The young Bahá’í was Ms. Bahar Behifar, daughter of Mr. Hormoz Behifar. Agents escorted her to her father’s home, which they raided and searched without presenting a judicial warrant. They searched the residence and its contents, emptying drawers and cupboards and causing significant damage to personal property, including a number of household items and belongings. A short time earlier, during a search of another Bahá’í’s home in Yazd, where Ms. Behifar and several other young people were present, her mobile phone had been left inside her vehicle. Agents took her to the vehicle and confiscated the phone. The other Bahá’ís present at the gathering were Mr. Shahin Daneshnia, Ms. Romina Pourmoradi, Mr. Kamyab Raei, Ms. Hania Taleie, Mr. Altaf Ghane, Ms. Parnia Basiri, Mr. Milad Aghdasi, and Mrs. Samiyeh Gholinejad. The agents declined to present a judicial warrant during these actions. When those present requested to see legal authorization for the search and confiscations, the agents stated only that they had received “orders.” Several of those at the café were also physically assaulted during the incident. That same night, security agents also raided and searched the home of Mr. Aghdasi and Mrs. Gholinejad, a Bahá’í couple residing in Yazd. Some of their personal property was damaged during the operation. As of the time of writing, no information has been made available about the reasons for the search of Ms. Behifar’s home, any charges that may have been brought against her, or the precise extent of the damage caused during the raid. #Bahai #Iran #Arrests #HomeSearches #BaharBehifar #HormozBehifar

Bahá’ís in Yazd Face Home Searches, Summonses, and Prison Sentences From 28 March to 15 October 2026, Bahá’ís in Yazd faced a series of security and judicial measures, including searches of homes and a farm, confiscation of personal property, dispersal of a private gathering, summonses for interrogation, prison sentences, and enforcement of a sentence. On 28 March 2026, around 50 Bahá’ís in Yazd had gathered for dinner, in keeping with a local custom, when agents of the Intelligence Department dispersed the gathering and confiscated the mobile phones of those in attendance without presenting a judicial warrant. Despite most participants approaching the legal authorities to recover their belongings, as of the time of writing, the phones had not been returned to their owners. In July 2026, approximately 12 participants were also summoned to the Intelligence Department for interrogation. No information has been provided about the official reasons for the summonses or any possible charges against them. September 2026 saw the highest number of security measures during this period. Six homes belonging to Bahá’ís in Yazd were searched that month, and agents confiscated guests’ mobile phones as well as homeowners’ belongings. On 26 August 2026, security agents searched the home of Mr. Shahrokh Nasiri and confiscated the mobile phones of six guests. On 2 and 3 September 2026, six Bahá’ís were also summoned to the Yazd Intelligence Department for interrogation; no further information has been provided about the reasons for their summonses or the outcome of their interrogations. On 12 September 2026, security agents searched the homes of three Bahá’ís and confiscated mobile phones and books found there. The three individuals were not identified. On 13 September 2026, agents searched the home of Mr. Majid Ghane and confiscated mobile phones, a laptop, books, photographs, items related to the Bahá’í Faith, and his personal vehicle. Around eight guests were present, and the agents also confiscated their mobile phones. One guest, Ms. Parnia Basiri, did not have a mobile phone with her. The agents took her to her home, searched it, and confiscated all family members’ mobile phones and items related to the Bahá’í Faith. In total, mobile phones belonging to around 14 guests were confiscated at two gatherings described as taking place in September 2026; in one instance, a guest’s home was also searched. Additional security measures in October 2026 involved searches of four homes and a farm, three of the homes belonging to family members of Mr. Farhang Amiri. On 27 September 2026, the tenth anniversary of his killing, around 40 security agents went to his family home. Mr. Amiri, a 63-year-old Bahá’í, had been stabbed to death outside his home in Yazd on 27 September 2016. Following their arrest, two defendants in his murder case had stated that his religious beliefs were the motive for the murder. The agents conducted a lengthy search and confiscated mobile phones, personal belongings, and items related to the Bahá’í Faith. That same night, agents searched the home of Mr. Payam Amiri, son of the late Mr. Amiri, and the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Mrs. Neda Amiri and Mr. Maziar Mottahed, confiscating a number of their personal belongings. The psychological pressure caused by the agents’ presence and the search coincided with a deterioration in the condition of the late Mr. Amiri’s wife, Mrs. Mahnaz Foroudi, who was taken to emergency services. The agents had gone to the family members’ homes on the assumption that they had held a ceremony marking the anniversary of the late Mr. Amiri’s killing. #Bahai #Iran #Arrests #HomeSearches

In February 2026, @IndianExpress published an opinion article by Nargis Gaur titled “In Iran, Bahá’is are the scapegoat, again,” examining the longstanding and systematic persecution of Iran’s Bahá’í community. The article traces decades of discrimination following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, including executions, imprisonment, property confiscations, the dismantling of Bahá’í institutions, and the denial of access to higher education. It highlights how false accusations and conspiracy theories have repeatedly been used to target the community during periods of political and social unrest. Gaur also draws attention to renewed accusations against Bahá’ís broadcast by Iranian state television in early 2026, including the February 1 airing of alleged “confessions” by two Bahá’ís on Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB). The article raises concerns about the use of coerced confessions and the continued targeting of a religious minority amid wider repression in Iran. Through this historical and contemporary perspective, the opinion piece underscores the persistence of religious discrimination against Iran’s Bahá’ís and the importance of protecting freedom of religion or belief, human dignity, and equal rights for all. Read the full article: indianexpress.com/article/op… #Bahai #Iran #ReligiousFreedom #HumanRights #TheIndianExpress

Security Agents Raid Milad Aghdasi and Samiyeh Gholinejad’s Home in Yazd At approximately 11:00 p.m. on 19 October 2026, security agents forcibly raided the home of Mr. Milad Aghdasi and Mrs. Samiyeh Gholinejad, a Bahá’í couple residing in Yazd. The agents searched all areas of the residence as well as the couple’s personal belongings. The search continued until around 3:00 a.m. During the raid, the agents confiscated a number of the couple’s personal items. No information was available about the reason for the operation or the security body responsible for carrying it out. Mrs. Gholinejad, 32, who lived in Qaemshahr before her marriage, had previously been arrested there by security agents in September 2022, along with several other young Bahá’ís. She was released some time later after posting bail. In connection with that case, she was sentenced to two years and one month’s imprisonment; however, Branch 9 of the Mazandaran Province Court of Appeal later commuted her sentence to a fine of 50 million tomans. Mr. Aghdasi and Mrs. Gholinejad had also previously been targeted by security agents, who raided their post-wedding gathering at the home of Mr. Mahmoud Aghdasi in Yazd and disrupted the event. Mr. Aghdasi was also summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence in May 2023. He was released after being interrogated and threatened. #Bahai #Iran #Arrests #HomeSearches #MiladAghdasi #SamiyehGholinejad

Bahá’í Couple Elham Khollas and Navid Tashakkor Due in Court on 21 October 2026 It was learned on 15 October 2026 that Mrs. Elham Khollas Ardestani and her husband, Mr. Navid Tashakkor, both Bahá’ís and the parents of a 15-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son, were scheduled to appear in court on 21 October 2026 for a hearing in their case. Mr. Tashakkor had previously been arrested on charges related to the manufacture of drones and was acquitted. He was arrested again on 13 December 2025. After the couple’s laptops and mobile phones were confiscated, agents examined materials concerning the Bahá’í Faith stored on the devices, prompting an investigation into the couple’s religious beliefs. Mr. Tashakkor was released on bail of one billion tomans after several weeks in temporary detention. Mrs. Khollas was arrested on 18 August 2026 after reporting to the investigator’s office headed by Mr. Sabbagh. The charges against her included keeping an article on her laptop, studying at the Bahá’í Institute for Higher Education (BIHE), and having “contact with Israel.” She was held in Dowlatabad Prison for about one month before being released on 19 September 2026 on bail of two billion tomans. being released on 19 September 2026 on bail of two billion tomans. #Bahai #Iran #Arrests #Imprisonments #ElhamKhollasArdestani #NavidTashakkor

Iman Rahmatpanah Begins Five-Year Sentence Under Electronic Monitoring with a 1,000-Metre Movement Restriction It was learned on 15 October 2026 that Mr. Iman Rahmatpanah, a Bahá’í resident of Shiraz, had begun serving a five-year imprisonment sentence outside prison under electronic monitoring. Under the ruling, he is required to remain within a 1,000-metre radius of his residence throughout this period. He has also been sentenced to six years’ deprivation of social rights and a two-year ban on leaving the country. Mr. Rahmatpanah was previously arrested by security agents in Shiraz in June 2025 and spent about two months in security detention centres and Adelabad Prison. He was temporarily released on bail in August 2025. Mr. Rahmatpanah and his family have also faced arrests and judicial pressure in previous years because of their religious beliefs. #Bahai #Iran #Arrests #Imprisonments #ImanRahmatpanah

Forough Ram Begins One-Year Prison Sentence in Zahedan On 13 October 2026, Ms. Forough Ram, a Bahá’í resident of Zahedan, was arrested after reporting to the Sentence Enforcement Office and transferred to Zahedan Prison to serve a one-year prison sentence. During the proceedings in her case, Ms. Ram’s lawyer was barred from attending the court session, and the appeal hearing was held in absentia. Ms. Ram, 30, had previously been arrested on 20 January 2026, when armed agents raided her home in Zahedan. During the operation, the personal belongings and communication devices of all members of her family were also confiscated. She was subsequently released on bail. Ms. Ram was also dismissed from her workplace on the orders of the Ministry of Intelligence. As of the time of writing, no further details had been announced concerning the charges against her or the court branch that issued the ruling. She is currently serving her sentence in Zahedan Prison. #Bahai #Iran #Arrests #Imprisonments #ForoughRam

Jila Sadeghi Held in Solitary Confinement in Dowlatabad Prison It was learned on 19 October 2026 that Mrs. Jila Sadeghi (Moghen), a Bahá’í resident of Isfahan, was arrested at her home on 6 October by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence, who also confiscated two vehicles belonging to her family. Mrs. Sadeghi was transferred to Dowlatabad Prison on the night of her arrest and is being held in a solitary cell. As of the time of this report, no information had been released regarding the reason for Mrs. Sadeghi’s arrest or any charges against her. #Bahai #Iran #Arrests #Imprisonments #JilaSadeghi