Shidan Cummings

Bahá’í ✴️ Iranian 🦁 Scot 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Chemical engineer 👨🏼‍🔬

[Tara | تارا @azizamtara]

#Vafa_Kashefi, a Bahá’í resident of Mashhad was arrested at his home on January 11, 2026. He was released on bail after 1 week. He was summoned again to the prosecutor's office in late April. On April 21, after appearing at the prosecutor's office, he was arrested again and transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. He is currently in pre-trial detention. His legal situation is still unknown. #StopBahaiPersecution
#وفا_کاشفی

[Iran Press Watch @iranpresswatch]

https://t.co/U53ME6xupM
More than 50 days have passed since the arrests of 25-year-old Mahsa Sotoudeh and 38-year-old Mandana Sotoudeh, two Bahá’í sisters residing in Shiraz, and there is still no accurate information available about their condition. The two sisters were arrested by IRGC agents, without the presentation of a judicial warrant, on March 29, 2025, and April 1, 2025, respectively.

According to reports received, Mahsa and Mandana Sotoudeh are being held in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz and have been kept separately from one another since their arrest. Despite the passage of several weeks, no details have yet been released about the charges against them, the progress of their case, or the conditions of their detention.

The family of these two Bahá’í sisters, who are their only children, has spent this entire period in worry and uncertainty, trying to follow up on their situation. The continuation of their detention, together with the lack of transparent information, has heightened concerns about the conditions of these two prisoners.

Behzad Basiri, the husband of Mandana Sotoudeh, who had also been arrested at the same time, was released on May 6, 2025.
#Bahai
#Shiraz
#DigitalBlackoutIran
#Mahsa_Sotoudeh
#Mandana_Sotoudeh

[Iran Press Watch @iranpresswatch]

https://t.co/W0FAUkkRi8

Sentencing of Amin Imanian, Bahá’í citizen and boxing champion, to one year of discretionary imprisonment

Amin Imanian, a Bahá’í citizen, former national boxing champion, and an active coach and referee with the federation, has been sentenced to one year of discretionary imprisonment under a ruling issued by the Revolutionary Court of Babol. The ruling, which was initially issued in absentia, was upheld in full at an appeal hearing held on May 18, 2026, in Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Babol.

The security-related actions against this athlete began on February 2, 2026, when agents of the Ministry of Intelligence raided his private residence, broke down the entrance door, searched the premises, and confiscated items including books, educational pamphlets, electronic equipment, and his computer hard drive. Following this action, Mr. Imanian was arrested, and a case was opened against him on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” Eventually, on March 9, 2026, the Revolutionary Court of Babol sentenced him to one year in prison. Despite the appeal hearing, the ruling remained unchanged, and according to informed sources, the hearing was merely performative in nature.

Amin Imanian’s conviction comes as, in recent months, security measures and systematic pressure against Iran’s Bahá’í community have increased to an unprecedented level. Security and judicial institutions, using legal tools and targeted case-building, are seeking to further restrict the social, educational, and athletic activities of Bahá’í citizens. This trend, which includes widespread arrests, raids on homes, and the issuance of long prison sentences, is part of the government’s broader policy of suppressing religious minorities and creating an atmosphere of intimidation in society—one that is applied with particular intensity against this community during periods of political crisis.

#Bahai #Babol

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

LATEST: https://t.co/bHJUrVFUhD
A pregnant Bahá’í woman from Rafsanjan, southeast Iran, is among almost 80 Bahá’ís detained and jailed in recent months, as the Islamic Republic pursues an escalating campaign of brutal persecution against the religious minority.
The Bahá’í International Community has also reported in recent weeks on the serious and concerning cases of Peyvand Naimi and Borna Naimi, two cousins in Kerman, who have faced brutal forms of torture, mock executions and forced confessions over alleged crimes they did not commit.
#Iran #Bahai #HumanRights

[Sahba SHZ @SahbaShz]

Dont stop talking about #Iran.
#IranMassacre‌

[U.S. Baha'i Office of Public Affairs @USBahaiOPA]

This senseless effort to erase the Qatari Baha’i community sets a dangerous precedent. Religious freedom is a strong indicator of a stable society. The Qatari Baha’is simply wish to contribute to the well-being of their friends, neighbors, and country. #Qatar #Bahai #FoRB #humanrights

[Office of Public Affairs (India) - Human Rights @Rightsopaindia]

Iran Baha’i crackdown: Fears rise as persecution against religious minority intensifies amid war | World News - The Times of India #Bahai #Iran #HumanRights

[Iran International English @IranIntl_En]

Shida Bazyar’s “The Nights Are Quiet In Tehran,” a novel tracing one Iranian family across four decades of revolution, exile and resistance, is among six books shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize.
https://t.co/aIIUUn8AuL

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

The @afpnewsagency reports on Peyvand and Borna Naimi’s torture, mock executions, and forced confessions to crimes they did not commit. Noting that these cases are among dozens of Bahá'ís arrested since nationwide protests broke out in January.

@siminfah, Representative of the Bahá'í International Community at the UN in Geneva, is quoted as saying: "This is a type of escalation against the Bahá'ís that we have not seen for decades."

https://t.co/eWMRljlYqh

This article joins a growing chorus of worldwide support calling out the Iranian government's ongoing persecution and scapegoating of the Bahá'ís in Iran.

#BahaiRights #PeyvandNaimi #BornaNaimi #Iran
@Stuart_JW

[IranWire @IranWireEnglish]

Iranian authorities arrested five Baha'is and searched multiple homes across several cities May 1-15, 2026, on charges including propaganda against the state, per the Baha'i International Community.
More: https://t.co/8tk6baTm9V

[Bahá'ís of/du Canada @CanadaBahai]

Ridván is the most significant period of the Bahá’í calendar, and the reception marked the occasion through engagement in dialogue on themes such as belonging, social cohesion, and community well-being.

Thank you to our co-sponsors for their collaboration with the Bahá’í Community of Canada and their warm presence at the event:

The Honourable Marilou McPhedran, Senator
The Honourable Judy A. Sgro, P.C., M.P. @honjudysgro
Ms. Leah Gazan, M.P. @LeahGazan
Mr. Michael Kram, M.P. @MichaelKramSK
Ms. Elizabeth May, O.C., M.P. @ElizabethMay

Thank you also to all of the esteemed guests in attendance, who shared in the joy of celebrating this special occasion with us.

[Reza Younesi رضا يونسى @RezaYounesi]

Mohammad Abbasi, protester arrested during the January uprising, was executed inside Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj while his family was denied a final visit.

His daughter, Fatemeh Abbasi, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for joining her father in the protests.

The horrifying wave of executions targeting political prisoners and protesters continues, while the world remains silent as attention stays focused on the war and global oil flows. At least 32 political prisoners have been executed in Iran since the war began in late February.
#StopExecutionsInIran

[Sahba SHZ @SahbaShz]

💔

[Iran Press Watch @iranpresswatch]

https://t.co/f8KE5jDn2e

Search of the Home and Confiscation of Property Belonging to Faramarz and Parivash Nadafian, a Bahá’í Couple in Shiraz

According to reports received, on the morning of Wednesday, May 6, security forces entered the residence of Faramarz Nadafian and Parivash Nadafian, a Bahá’í couple living in Shiraz, and searched their home.

The agents reportedly entered the family’s private residence after presenting a handwritten warrant. During the search, they confiscated personal and digital items, including mobile phones, a computer case, and several books. Reports indicate that, in addition to documents and communication devices, the security forces also seized and took away quantities of gold and jewelry belonging to the couple.

This action is yet another page in the extensive and systematic record of repression against religious minorities in Iran, which has continued for decades. The pressure on Bahá’í citizens and the violation of their privacy through home searches and confiscation of property���even valuable items unrelated to any alleged charges—reflect an intent that goes beyond law enforcement and is aimed at creating economic and psychological hardship for minorities.

Security agencies, by raising baseless security accusations, deliberately target freedom of belief in order to deprive religious dissidents of their basic rights as citizens. Turning “personal belief” into a “security case” is a practice that not only calls judicial justice into question, but also stands in direct contradiction to international human rights standards and the principle of freedom of religion.

#Bahai #Shiraz

[Iran Press Watch @iranpresswatch]

Semnan: Anisa Fanaian, Bahá’í Citizen, Arrested to Serve Remainder of Prison Sentence

Anisa Fanaian, a Bahá’í citizen, was arrested in Semnan to serve the remainder of her sentence. She had previously been sentenced once again to eight years in prison after her request for retrial was accepted and her case was referred to a parallel branch.

According to information received by HRANA, Ms. Fanaian was arrested this afternoon, Monday, May 11, 2026, at her private home in Semnan by security forces. At the time of the arrest, the agents had an arrest warrant for her to serve the remainder of her sentence.

In November 2025, Anisa Fanaian’s prison sentence remained unchanged after her request for retrial was accepted by the Supreme Court and the case was referred to a parallel branch for reconsideration. Branch 10 of the Semnan Province Court of Appeals, in its new ruling, once again sentenced her to eight years in prison.

On October 2, 2025, following the Supreme Court’s acceptance of her request for retrial, Ms. Fanaian was released from Semnan Prison after posting bail. She had been arrested by security forces on March 11, 2025, on a street in Semnan to serve her prison sentence and was transferred to Semnan Prison.

In late 2023 / early 2024, Anisa Fanaian was sentenced by the Semnan Revolutionary Court to a total of 16 years in prison, a monetary fine, deprivation of social rights, and confiscation of part of her family’s personal property. The charges brought against her were stated as “forming a group with the aim of disrupting national security,” “deviant educational or promotional activity contrary to Islamic law,” and “propaganda activity against the regime.” This sentence was reduced by Branch 7 of the Semnan Province Court of Appeals to eight years in prison, and under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe punishment—seven years in prison—will be enforceable against her.

This Bahá’í citizen, a resident of Semnan who had previously served time in prison, was arrested by security forces in late August 2023 and released after some time upon posting bail.

It should be noted that Anisa Fanaian is the niece of Ataollah Rezvani. HRANA previously reported that, 11 years after the killing of Ataollah Rezvani, a Bahá’í citizen, the Special Juvenile Criminal Court of Hormozgan Province confirmed that the killing had been intentional, but rejected the family’s request for diya payment from the public treasury “because the victim was Bahá’í.”

Over the past decade, the Bahá’í community in Iran has been targeted by security and judicial actions more than any other religious minority. A review of annual reports by the Statistics, Publications, and Works Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran shows that, over the past three years, an average of 72% of reports concerning religious minorities have related to violations of Bahá’ís’ citizenship rights.

#Bahai #Semnan
https://t.co/BHbz4BXrI3

[Sahba SHZ @SahbaShz]

#Bahai #OurStoryIsOne #Iran

[Tara | تارا @azizamtara]

#RominaGoli, a Bahá’í resident of Sari (Mazandaran province), was taken to the Prosecutor’s Office on May 10 for questioning. At the same time, her home was searched and her digital devices and Bahá’í books were confiscated.

She was charged with “propaganda against the system” and “educational or propaganda activity contrary to Islamic law” under Article 500. Authorities issued a one-month detention order and transferred her to a detention center pending further investigation.
#StopBahaiPersecution
#رومینا_گلی

[Isma Forghani @HR_Austria]

Danke an den 🇮🇪 Abgeordneten @paulmurphy_TD für seine klare Stimme: Die jungen #Bahai-Cousins #PeyvandNaimi & #BornaNaimi schweben im #Iran nach Folter, Scheinhinrichtungen & erzwungenen falschen „Geständnissen“ in Lebensgefahr. Verfolgt einzig wegen ihres Glaubens! #HumainRights

[خبرگزاری هرانا @hra_news]

شیراز؛ منزل افسانه جذابی، شهروند بهائی تفتیش شد

خبرگزاری هرانا – صبح روز سه‌شنبه ۱۵ اردیبهشت‌ماه، منزل افسانه جذابی (راسخی)، شهروند ۶۶ ساله #بهائی ساکن شیراز، توسط نیروهای امنیتی تفتیش شد. در جریان این بازرسی، ماموران شماری از لوازم شخصی و کتب دینی این شهروند را ضبط کردند.

بر اساس اطلاعات دریافتی هرانا، صبح روز سه‌شنبه ۱۵ اردیبهشت ۱۴۰۵، مأموران امنیتی با ارائه حکم قضایی وارد منزل جذابی شده و اقدام به تفتیش محل سکونت وی ک��دند. در جریان این بازرسی، وسایل متعددی از جمله کتاب‌ها، قاب‌ها، گوشی موبایل و یک پلاک و زنجیر طلا توسط مأموران ضبط شده است.

ادامه مطلب
https://t.co/4YB2SE6deA

#افسانه_جذابی #افسانه_راسخی #تفتیش_منزل

[The Times and Sunday Times @thetimes]

‘Iran regime killers shot my son dead in his hospital bed’ https://t.co/bRF6mVw5l8