Exclusive: Interview with Yekta Fahandej Saadi's Sister Following the Arrest of This Baha'i Citizen in Shiraz

Government forces of the Islamic Republic arrested Yekta Fahandej Saadi, a Baha'i citizen, in Shiraz for the umpteenth time. Mona Fahandej Saadi, the sister of this Baha'i citizen who was arrested on Monday, December 18, stated in an interview with Voice of America: "Yekta's first arrest occurred about 12 years ago, and during each arrest, she faced harsh interrogation conditions and psychological torture at the hands of the Ministry of Intelligence agents." She mentioned that her sister was accused each time of "propagating against the regime through the promotion of the Baha'i sect and membership in the illegal Baha'i organization with the intent to act against the internal security of the country." She added: "The intelligence and government officials attribute crimes to the Baha'is of Iran to continue their oppression and imprison them, and my sister Yekta is no exception to this." According to Ms. Fahandej Saadi, security agents confiscated books, photos, mobile phones belonging to her and her husband, and a laptop after entering her sister's home, while also taking several gold and silver items that bore Baha'i symbols. She also stated that the agents tore some family photos and property documents. Reports indicate that the reason for Ms. Fahandej Saadi's arrest and her place of detention have not yet been clarified. According to the Instagram page "Baha'i News," this is the fifth time in recent years that Ms. Fahandej Saadi has been arrested. The Islamic Republic does not recognize the Baha'i faith and has repeatedly accused Baha'is of espionage and acting against the Islamic Republic. Since the establishment of the Islamic Republic, many death sentences and prison sentences have been issued against them. In addition to these actions, numerous reports have emerged regarding the deprivation of education and business restrictions for Baha'is. In this context, the 36th branch of the Tehran Court of Appeals confirmed a significant portion of the primary court's ruling in December of this year, sentencing six Baha'i citizens to a total of 26 years and 10 months in prison and confiscation of property on charges of "membership in the Baha'i community" and "propaganda against the regime."