Arrest of a 'Baha'i Family'; Ministry of Intelligence Claims Involvement in 'Drug Smuggling and Hoarding'

On Sunday, the Ministry of Intelligence issued a statement claiming, without providing evidence, that it had arrested a 'large network of disruptive Baha'i families in the drug sector.' According to the Ministry's claims, following intelligence-security investigations, 'clues of foreign communications and indications of the involvement of certain misguided sects' in 'drug smuggling and hoarding' were discovered. The statement further claimed the arrest of a Baha'i family due to reasons such as 'the overt and covert ownership of 20 pharmacies and three cosmetic and hygiene companies, as well as multiple unauthorized warehouses,' and also the ownership of '20 hidden warehouses... containing smuggled and hoarded drugs.' The Ministry's statement, without naming the family, reported the arrest of 9 individuals and the seizure of 40 pharmacies and warehouses in this context. According to the annual report on 'International Religious Freedom' for the year 2022, prepared by the U.S. Department of State's Office of International Religious Freedom, the Iranian government's repression, violence, discrimination, and social stigmatization against members of the Baha'i community have intensified. While the Islamic Republic attributes the dire state of drugs in Iran to the Baha'is and their 'drug smuggling and hoarding,' it had previously cited sanctions as the reason for this issue. However, the United States has consistently emphasized that all matters related to drugs, medical equipment, and agricultural products are exempt from U.S. sanctions against Iran. A pharmacist residing in Tehran told Voice of America in May that since last December, no foreign currency has been allocated for purchasing raw materials for drugs or medical equipment. Additionally, another pharmacist from Tehran mentioned at the same time that currently essential drugs, including the heart medication Amiodarone, Plavix for preventing blood clots typically used after heart attacks, and inhalers for asthma and bronchitis are also scarce. The Mashhad prosecutor summoned 9 Baha'i women, arresting one of them. Five Baha'i citizens were arrested in Kerman. The trial date for a Baha'i citizen was set, but the court president refused to accept a designated lawyer. Sara Sabat Rasikh, a Baha'i citizen in Isfahan, was sentenced to eight years in prison. The forced burial of deceased Baha'is in Khavaran has been described as ruthless by the Baha'i community. There is a shortage of medical facilities in Iran; the Red Crescent stated that they will provide for Arbaeen pilgrims 'from other resources.' Contrary to officials' claims, the drug crisis has intensified, increasing the risk of patient deaths. There is a shortage of specific medications; the head of the Food and Drug Organization apologized to hemophilia patients.