Detention Order for Nahid Behroozi, Baha'i Citizen, Extended for Another Month

Approximately 40 days after the detention of Nahid Behroozi, a Baha'i citizen residing in Fardis County, Alborz Province, her detention order has been extended for another month. According to Harana, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, on Friday, September 7, it was reported that in addition to the one-month extension of Nahid Behroozi's detention, the bail previously issued for her release has been removed from her case. The report states that although Nahid Behroozi, who is currently in Kachoui Prison in Karaj, suffers from asthma, prison officials have refused to accept the necessary medications provided by her family. Harana quoted an informed source stating that the relevant authorities delivered an asthma inhaler to this Baha'i citizen that had 'expired.' Agents from the Information Office of Fardis County detained Nahid Behroozi (Farahri) on Tuesday, July 30, and confiscated some of her personal belongings in addition to searching her home. According to Harana, she was transferred from the Ministry of Intelligence detention center to Kachoui Prison in Karaj on August 16 after completing the interrogation process. So far, no news has been published regarding the charges against this imprisoned Baha'i citizen. Recently, five Baha'i citizens residing in Rasht and Isfahan were also sentenced to imprisonment and additional penalties. Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Baha'i citizens in Iran have systematically faced execution, widespread social and political discrimination, and illegal actions including detention and desecration of their cemeteries. According to the annual report of the 'International Religious Freedom Commission' from last year, the repression, violence, discrimination, and social stigmatization of the Iranian government against Baha'i citizens have intensified. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has also expressed concern over the increasing pressure on religious minorities in Iran and the Islamic Republic's campaign to detain Baha'is. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom reported that over the past several decades, the Islamic Republic systematically targets Baha'is, Christians, Gonabadi Dervishes, Zoroastrians, Yarsanis, Shia and Sunni Muslims, and non-religious individuals for harassment, detention, long-term imprisonment, exile, or prohibition from participating in political and social activities. Two Baha'i citizens residing in Rasht were sentenced to imprisonment and additional penalties. Three Baha'i citizens were sentenced to prison, fines, and a travel ban in the Isfahan appeals court. The judiciary of the Islamic Republic issued an indictment against ten Baha'i women in Isfahan for 'teaching contrary to Islamic law.' The Baha'i International Community reported that the Baha'i cemetery in Ahvaz was set on fire.