Arrest of a Baha'i Citizen in Ahvaz and Closure of Another Baha'i's Business in Sari

Continuing the pressure on Baha'is in Iran, a Baha'i citizen was arrested in Ahvaz and the business of another Baha'i citizen in Sari was closed. According to human rights sources, agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps arrested Sepideh Rashidi (Darakhshan), a Baha'i resident of Ahvaz, and transferred her to an unknown location. This Baha'i citizen was arrested on Tuesday, June 7, and her family expressed concern about her whereabouts, stating they have no information about her detention. No news has been released regarding the charges against Sepideh Rashidi. In January 2023, agents of the IRGC also searched this Baha'i citizen's home and confiscated some of her personal belongings, including her computer and mobile phone. Simultaneously, the business of a Baha'i citizen in Sari was closed due to the publication of an Instagram story expressing joy over the death of Ebrahim Raisi and his companions. The Mazandaran Police Intelligence Organization, without mentioning the identity of this Baha'i citizen, who runs a stationery store, accused her of 'disturbing public opinion.' Following the helicopter crash carrying Ebrahim Raisi, the President of the Islamic Republic, which resulted in the deaths of all eight passengers on Friday, May 19, the Islamic Republic's police authorities initiated a new wave of summons and arrests of social media activists under the pretext of addressing comments and expressions of joy over Raisi's death. Baha'i citizens in Iran have systematically faced execution, widespread social and political discrimination, and illegal actions including arbitrary arrests and desecration of their cemeteries since the 1979 revolution. The repression of Baha'is by the Islamic Republic has consistently faced international protests. Javaid Rehman, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, expressed serious concern in his recent report on March 18, 2023, about the 'continuation of harassment and arbitrary arrests of Baha'i community members.' The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has also expressed concern over the intensification of pressure on religious minorities in Iran and the Islamic Republic's campaign to arrest Baha'is. According to this commission's report, at least about 200 individuals are in the prisons of the Islamic Republic for religious or ideological reasons. Violations of Baha'i rights in Iran; attacks on cemeteries and the removal of an artist from a concert due to religious beliefs. Seventy-five years of imprisonment for fifteen Baha'i women in Isfahan; charge: missionary and educational activities. Yekta Fahendaj, a Baha'i citizen, was released from prison on bail. Nasim Sabati, a Baha'i citizen, was summoned to serve a sentence of three years and eight months in prison.