Arrest of Baha'i Artist in Tehran by the Ministry of Intelligence

According to reports from Iran, Shahryar Sirous, a Baha'i artist and painter, was arrested by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence in Tehran on Tuesday evening, July 9, and transferred to Evin Prison. Meanwhile, the Saham News website, close to Mehdi Karroubi, reported that 'eleven agents of the Ministry of Intelligence' searched Mr. Sirous's art classes, his workplace, and his father's home on Tuesday. According to this report, these agents confiscated Mr. Sirous's personal belongings, such as his computer, books, magazines, and manuscripts, and arrested him, transferring him to Evin Prison. Despite the requests from the family of this Baha'i artist, the agents refused to provide a warrant for the arrest and search, stating that they would only show the warrant to Mr. Sirous himself. Reports indicate that Shahryar Sirous, who has been teaching design and painting for about ten years, has been painting professionally since 1991 and learned from masters such as 'Aydin Aghdashloo', 'Roein Pakbaz', and 'Ahmad Vakili'. Alongside his artistic activities, he has conducted studies and research in the fields of philosophy and art history, resulting in several articles published under titles such as 'Derived Arts and Global Culture' and 'Art on the Threshold of the Third Millennium'. Shahryar Sirous's artistic record includes numerous solo and group exhibitions, as well as participation in the 'Third Biennale of Iranian Painters'. In recent years, special rapporteurs on human rights from the United Nations, the European Union, the United States, and several international human rights organizations have criticized the ongoing discrimination and violation of the rights of Baha'is in Iran. Meanwhile, Rob Nicholson, Canada's Foreign Minister, had called on the Islamic Republic on Friday, May 15, to release seven leaders of the Baha'i community in Iran. Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaleddin Khanjani, Afif Naimi, Saeed Rezaei, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakoli, and Vahid Tizfahm, former leaders of the Baha'i community in Iran, were arrested seven years ago on charges of 'espionage' and 'propaganda against the regime' and remain in prison. Baha'ism emerged as a new religion in Iran about 150 years ago, but the Islamic Republic does not recognize this faith, and government-affiliated media accuse its followers of espionage for Israel due to the existence of a central Baha'i organization in Haifa. However, the Baha'i center in Haifa was established before the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. In this context, Khamenei stated: 'The level of tolerance that exists in Iran is not found in the Christian world.' The Human Rights Council meeting has begun; multiple sessions related to Iran are on the agenda. Seven years have passed since the imprisonment of the leaders of the Baha'i community in Iran. Canada has called for the release of seven Baha'i leaders in Iran.