Increased Suppression of Baha'i Citizens in Iran; Homes of at Least 10 Individuals in Karaj Searched

Radio Farda has learned that agents of the Ministry of Intelligence searched the homes of at least 10 Baha'i citizens in Karaj and arrested one Baha'i citizen in the city. Informed sources told Radio Farda that security agents on Tuesday, February 18, searched the homes of at least 10 Baha'i citizens in Gohardasht, Mehrshahr, and Khorramdacht in Karaj, confiscating many of their 'valuable belongings.' Additionally, Erfan Eshraghi, a Baha'i citizen, was arrested at his home by security agencies on Wednesday, February 19, while he was leaving home to go to the hospital for a 'kidney stone operation.' At the same time, 10 Baha'i women were arrested in Isfahan. Informed sources told Radio Farda that in some of the searches conducted, security agents broke down entrances to enter the homes of Baha'i citizens. According to images seen by Radio Farda, many belongings in these homes were destroyed during the searches by the Ministry of Intelligence agents. The human rights media organization, HRANA, reported in its annual report on human rights violations in Iran that 'more than 67 percent' of the suppression of religious minorities in Iran over the past year pertains to Baha'is. Evidence, statistics, and reports received by Radio Farda also indicate that the systematic pressure from security agencies, especially on Baha'i citizens in Iran, has increased since the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests, at least in terms of security confrontations, discrimination, deprivation of basic citizenship rights, and direct pressure on detained Baha'i protesters and activists. This suppression has seen an upward trend one year after the start of nationwide protests and, according to statements from Baha'i activists inside the country, continues unabated. The Abdorrahman Boroumand Foundation, which works on victims of violence by the Islamic Republic, also stated in a research report this January that the actions of the Islamic Republic against followers of the Baha'i faith can be considered 'crimes against humanity.'