Family of Yekta Fahandaj Saadi to VOA: More than 50 days have passed since her detention

The family of Yekta Fahandaj Saadi, a Baha'i citizen imprisoned in Shiraz, is worried about the uncertainty of her status and the lack of information regarding her conditions. Mona Fahandaj Saadi, the sister of the imprisoned Baha'i citizen, told VOA: "More than 50 days have passed since my sister was detained by the agents of the Shiraz Intelligence Department, and she is currently imprisoned in Block 100." Ms. Fahandaj Saadi noted that her sister has only had two brief phone calls with her family during this time. She added that despite the family's repeated inquiries, they have still not been able to visit her, and they are not being informed about the charges or her status. Mona Fahandaj Saadi further stated that in previous detentions, her sister had weekly visits after a while, and phone contact was somewhat established, unlike the current situation, which is much more restricted. Yekta Fahandaj Saadi was arrested on December 18 at her home in Shiraz and was then transferred to the detention center of the Intelligence Department of that city. Security and judicial officials of the Islamic Republic have not yet commented on the reasons for her detention and the charges against her. Baha'is, who are considered one of the largest non-Muslim religious minorities in Iran, have been systematically persecuted since the Islamic Revolution of February 1979. According to the annual report of 'International Religious Freedom' for the year 2022, published by the U.S. Department of State's Office of International Religious Freedom, the repression, violence, discrimination, and social stigmatization by the Islamic Republic against members of the Baha'i community in Iran have intensified. Additionally, see: The latest U.S. list of religious freedom violators globally; Iran remains a 'country of particular concern.' The request for retrial of Sanaz Tafazoli, a imprisoned Baha'i citizen, was rejected by the Supreme Court. Pressure on Baha'is in Iran; a citizen was arrested and transferred to prison in Shiraz. Five weeks of uncertainty in the Shiraz Intelligence detention center; the charges against Yekta Fahandaj Saadi are still unclear. Three Baha'i citizens in Bojnord were sentenced to prison and fined.