South African Baha'i Office of Public Affairs

Official Twitter account of the South African Baha'i Office of Public Affairs.

[ایران اینترنشنال - خبر فوری @IranIntlbrk]

جامعه بین‌المللی بهائی در گزارشی اعلام کرد چهره‌های فرهنگی، مدافعان حقوق بشر و برخی مقام‌ها در کشورهای مختلف خواستار اقدام بشردوستانه برای آزادی پیوند نعیمی در ایران شده‌اند

[Bahá'í International Community - Human Rights @BahaiBIC_Rights]

Behzad Basiri and Mandana Sotoudeh arrested by IRGC Agents During Home Raid in Shiraz

On 1 April 2026 at around 11 a.m., agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) raided the home of Mr. Behzad Basiri and his wife Mrs. Mandana Sotoudeh in Shiraz, without presenting a judicial warrant. After thoroughly searching their home and confiscating electronic devices, Mr. Basiri was arrested and detained.

At the time of the raid only Mr. Basiri was at home, while Mrs. Sotoudeh was at her mother’s residence. Following the detention of Mr. Basiri, security forces also raided the mother’s home to arrest Mrs. Sotoudeh. Both have been transferred to an undisclosed location.

Three days prior to this incident, on 29 March 2026, Ms. Mahsa Sotoudeh, Mandana’s sister, was also detained by IRGC agents.

To date no information has been released regarding the reasons for the arrests, the location where the detainees are being held, or their current situation.

The uncertainty surrounding their fate has heightened the concerns of their families and close associates.

#Bahai #Iran #Arrests #Imprisonments #BehzadBasiri #MandanaSotoudeh

[Bahá'í International Community - Human Rights @BahaiBIC_Rights]

Mahsa Sotoudeh Arrested and Transferred to Unknown Location in Shiraz

At approximately 6 p.m. on 29 March 2026, IRGC agents raided the home of Ms. Mahsa Sotoudeh, a 25-year-old Bahá’í resident of Shiraz. Following a thorough search of her home during which electronic devices belonging to her and her family members were confiscated, Ms. Sotoudeh was arrested and taken to an unknown location.

To date no information has been released regarding Ms. Sotoudeh’s whereabouts, the reasons for her arrest, or the nature of any possible charges against her. Family efforts to obtain information about her situation have so far been unsuccessful.

#Bahai #Iran #Arrests #Imprisonments #MahsaSotoudeh

[Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert @KMooreGilbert]

Over the past week, programmes have been broadcast on Channel 2 state television spreading false accusations against the Baha’i community, including clearly forced confessions by Baha’is taken under coercion

[Bahá'í International Community - Human Rights @BahaiBIC_Rights]

Thank you @IranIntl for covering this important story. The Baha'is in Iran are facing scapegoating and incitement to hatred in midst of national crisis.
Our full story: https://t.co/vyhIzXCjNH
#Iran #Bahai #HumanRights

[Bahá'í International Community - Human Rights @BahaiBIC_Rights]

Navid Tashakkor Detained and Transferred to Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan

On Saturday, 13 December 2025, Mr. Navid Tashakkor, a Bahá’í resident of Baharestan, was detained after being summoned to the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor's Office in Isfahan and was subsequently transferred to Dastgerd Prison.

The charge brought against Mr. Tashakkor is “propaganda against the regime” under Article 500 bis of the Islamic Penal Code—a baseless charge that has been linked to alleged educational or promotional activities deemed “contrary to or disruptive of the sacred Islamic law.”

Mr. Tashakkor had previously faced arrest and detention earlier in the year for being a Bahá’í and on baseless charges. On 15 June, Mr. Tashakkor and several colleagues were briefly detained at their workplace and released after one day.

On 22 June 2025, security forces detained him at his home in Baharestan, searched his residence, and confiscated his electronic devices. He was released on bail on 8 July 2025.

#Bahai #Iran #Arrests #Imprisonments #NavidTashakkor

[Bahá'í International Community - Human Rights @BahaiBIC_Rights]

Prolonged Detention of Store Goods belonging to Hamid Azizi Without Case Initiation

It was learned on 15 November that the store goods belonging to Mr. Hamid Azizi, which consist of eyeglass frames, remain in the custody of the Organization for the Investigation of Violations (Ta’zirat Office). Despite the passage of more than a year since their confiscation, no formal case has been initiated against Mr. Azizi by the authorities.

#Bahai #Iran #economicpressures #DenialOfOwnershipRights #HamidAzizi

[Bahá'í International Community - Human Rights @BahaiBIC_Rights]

“A state that imprisons people for their faith or gender is not strong - it is terrified. A regime that seizes Bahá’í homes it is not powerful, it only shows how fragile its own walls have become. When you silence one woman her voice returns through millions.”

Thank you, @HannahNeumann, for this powerful speech highlighting the persecution of Bahá’í women and countless other women from all backgrounds in Iran. Thank you for giving them a voice in the seat of the @Europarl_EN and ensuring their stories are not forgotten.

#Iran #Bahai #EuropeanParliament #HumanRights

[Bahá'í International Community - Human Rights @BahaiBIC_Rights]

Nahid Behrouzi Sentenced to Five Years in Prison in Karaj: Rights Violations and Unanswered Legal Questions

On 6 October 2025, Mrs. Nahid Behrouzi (Forouhari), a 63-year-old Bahá’í housewife from Karaj with a high school diploma and no record of political, media, or educational activity, was sentenced by Branch 4 of the Revolutionary Court of Karaj to five years in prison and additional penalties. These include a ten-year deprivation of social rights and the confiscation of electronic devices, religious books, and other personal belongings. The verdict was issued under Article 500 bis of the Islamic Penal Code, citing “deviant educational or propaganda activities contrary to Islam” including “psychological indoctrination” or “mind control” although no material evidence or documentation was presented to substantiate such allegations.

#Bahai #Iran #CourtAppearances #NahidBehrouzi #Arrest #AllegedAssault #HomeSearch #PropertyConfiscation #DetentionConditions #Interrogation #JudicialProceedings #LackofEvidence #HumanRightsConsiderations

[Bahá'í International Community - Human Rights @BahaiBIC_Rights]

Shakib Farzan Released from Adel Abad Prison on 1.5 Billion Toman Bail

Mr. Shakib Farzan was released from Adel Abad Prison in Shiraz on 16 November 2025, after posting bail set at 1.5 billion tomans.  Mr. Farzan was arrested on 20 October 2025 and initially held at the Intelligence Detention Center, known as "Unit 100," before being transferred to Adel Abad Prison in Shiraz.

#Bahai #Iran #Arrests #Imprisonments #Releases #ShakibFarzan

[Bahá'í International Community - Human Rights @BahaiBIC_Rights]

The @Europarl_EN Parliament this week “strongly condemned” the Islamic Republic of Iran’s violations against the Baha’i religious minority, denouncing over 45 years of “systematic persecution,” and urging European officials to forward the Parliament’s concerns to the Iranian government.
The condemnation came through an unprecedented and historic urgency resolution—the Parliament’s newest standalone measure demonstrating its concern over the severity of the persecution facing the Baha’is. It was passed by 549 Members of European Parliament in an overwhelming display of cross-party unity.
Our full story from @BahaiBIC_Europe:
https://t.co/WHnQkgQlxu
#Iran #Bahai #HumanRights
Photo credit: ©️ European Union 2025 - Source : EP

[Baha’i International Community Brussels Office @BahaiBIC_Europe]

"Iran's persecution of the Baha'i is not incidental, it is policy, it is structured, it is calculated. The 1991 Memorandum and the misuse of Article 49 are tools of exclusion disguised as law."

Thank you to Daniel Attard for your firm stance in denouncing the violations against #Bahais in #Iran during the debate at the @Europarl_EN last night.

#humanrights #EuropeanParliament

[Baha’i International Community Brussels Office @BahaiBIC_Europe]

"Europe must stand with Bahá'ís and with all those in Iran whose Faith, identity and very lives are under attack."

Thank you to @danusenerudova for your powerful intervention during the debate on the urgency resolution regarding the persecution of #Bahais in #Iran at the @Europarl_EN last night.

#humanrights #EuropeanParliament

[Baha’i International Community Brussels Office @BahaiBIC_Europe]

"The Bahá’ís in Iran are an example for people all around the world because they, facing persecution and injustice, support with great courage and resilience, each other and their fellow citizens."

Thank you to @MiriamMLex for your heartfelt intervention and support in light of the urgency resolution on the persecution of #Bahais in #Iran at the @Europarl_EN last night.

#humanrights #EuropeanParliament

[Bahá'í International Community - Human Rights @BahaiBIC_Rights]

Release of Afshin Haghighat and Fardin Bangaleh from Adel Abad Prison on Bail

On 15 November 2025, Mr. Afshin Haghighat and Mr. Fardin Bangaleh were released from Adel Abad Prison in Shiraz upon posting bail of 1.5 billion tomans each.

Both men were arrested on 14 October 2025, after their homes were searched by authorities, and subsequently transferred to the Intelligence Detention Center known as "Unit 100." Mr. Bangaleh was transferred from Unit 100 to Adel Abad Prison on 8 November and Mr. Haghighat was transferred on 10 November 2025.

#Bahai #Iran #Arrests #Imprisonments #Releases #AfshinHaghighat #FardinBangaleh

[Bahá'í International Community - Human Rights @BahaiBIC_Rights]

Seven Bahá’ís Transferred to Kachouei Prison in Karaj to Serve Sentences

On 16 November 2025, Seven Bahá’ís from Karaj have been detained and transferred to Kachouei Prison to serve sentences handed down by the local judiciary. The individuals, Mr. Parsa Soroushian, Mrs. Naghmeh Mirza Agha, Mrs. Samar Masoudi Mehrabad, Mr. Naser Rajab, Mr. Rouzbeh Naseri, Mrs. Mahshid Sifidi Miandoab, and Mrs. Mahindokht Saadatmand Manshadi, appeared at Office for the Execution of Sentences of the Revolutionary Court in Karaj, where they were taken into custody.

The group was summoned in October to commence their sentences. Following a hearing at Branch 12 of the Alborz Court of Appeals on 8 September, each was sentenced to five months’ imprisonment, a two-year ban on traveling abroad, and a two-year prohibition from social activities. The appellate court had reduced the original sentences, which included ten-month prison terms and additional penalties.

Earlier proceedings included multiple court sessions. The seven were first summoned to the prosecutor’s office on 6 July 2024 and released on bail following questioning.

#Bahai #Iran #Arrests #Imprisonments #ParsaSoroushian #NaghmehMirzaAgha #SamarMasoudiMehrabad #NaserRajab #RouzbehNaser #MahshidSifidi #Mioab #MahindokhtSaadatm #Manshadi

[Bahá'í International Community - Human Rights @BahaiBIC_Rights]

Arvin Avazpour Arrested in Gonbad-e Kavus

On Wednesday, 12 November 2025, Mr. Arvin Avazpour, a Bahá’í living in Gonbad-e Kavus, was arrested by security agents and taken to an undisclosed location. Authorities also searched his home, confiscating several books—mainly related to the Bahá’í Faith—as well as his mobile phone.

Mr. Avazpour was detained at his workplace before being brought to his residence where the agents carried out the search. As at the time of writing, his family have not received any information about his whereabouts or condition. Mr. Avazpour is aged 45 and is the father of two children.

#Bahai #Iran #Arrests #Imprisonments #ArvinAvazpour

[Bahá'í International Community - Human Rights @BahaiBIC_Rights]

Aminollah Koushk-Baghi Arrested in Gonbad-e Kavus

On Wednesday 12 November 2025 Mr. Aminollah Koushk-Baghi, a 69-year-old Bahá’í resident of Gonbad-e Kavus, was arrested by security agents and detained in an unknown location.

Mr. Koushk-Baghi’s family and relatives have made repeated attempts to gain information about his situation, but as at the time of writing no details have been provided regarding his whereabouts, the reasons for his detention, or the nature of any charges brought against him.

#Bahai #Iran #Arrests #Imprisonments #AminollahKoushkBaghi

[Bahá'í International Community - Human Rights @BahaiBIC_Rights]

Transfer of Fardin Bangaleh and Two Others to Adel Abad Prison Quarantine

On Saturday afternoon, 8 November 2025, Mr. Fardin Bangaleh was transferred from the Intelligence Detention Center, known as "Unit 100," to the quarantine section of Adel Abad Prison in Shiraz. On the following Monday afternoon, 10 November 2025, two additional individuals—Mrs. Negar Misaghian and Mr. Afshin Haghighat—were also transferred from Unit 100 to Adel Abad Prison quarantine.

#Bahai #Iran #Arrests #Imprisonments #FardinBangaleh #AfshinHaghighat #NegarMisaghian

[Bahá'í International Community - Human Rights @BahaiBIC_Rights]

Continuing Detention of Shakib Farzan in Shiraz Since 20 October Without Charge

On 10 November, Shakib Farzan, a 25-year-old Baha'i residing in Shiraz, was transferred from the Intelligence Detention Center, known as "Unit 100," to the quarantine section of Adel Abad Prison in Shiraz. His family continues to seek information regarding his legal status and well-being. Mr. Farzan was detained by security forces on 20 October and has since remained in temporary custody, with no clarification regarding the charges against him.

As of this report, the reasons for Mr. Farzan's arrest and the nature of any formal charges against him remain unknown.

#Bahai #Iran #Arrests #Imprisonments #ShakibFarzan