Seventy-Five Years of Imprisonment for Fifteen Baha'i Women in Isfahan; Charges: Propaganda and Educational Activities

According to the HRANA news agency, the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan sentenced 15 citizens to a total of 75 years in prison, 750 million tomans in fines, a travel ban, and social deprivations for 'promoting' the Baha'i faith and 'participating in propaganda and educational activities contrary to Islamic law.' The human rights news agency identified these Baha'i citizens as residing in Baharestan, Isfahan, and named them: Mojgan Pourshafie Ardestani, Nasrin Khademi Ghaharkhi, Azita Rezvani-Khah, Shohreh Ashouri, Mojdeh Bahamin, Bashari Motahar, Sara Shakib, Samira Shakib, Roya Azadkhush, Noushin Hemmat, Shourangiz Bahamin, Sanaz Rasteh, Maryam Khorsandi, Firoozeh Rasti Nejad, and Farkhondeh Rezvan-Pey. The verdict was issued by the first branch of the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan on Thursday, May 17, and communicated to these citizens. Based on the issued ruling, these fifteen Baha'i citizens, all of whom are women, were sentenced to 5 years in prison each, a fine of 50 million tomans, five years of deprivation from social services, and a two-year travel ban solely for the charge of 'educational and propaganda activities contrary to Islamic law.' These citizens faced charges of 'propaganda against the Islamic Republic' and 'participating in propaganda and educational activities contrary to Islamic law' on Farvardin 20, 1403, and were summoned to court on Ordibehesht 12. Among these citizens, Roya Azadkhush, Azita Rezvani-Khah, Sara Shakib, Sanaz Rasteh, Shohreh Ashouri, Shourangiz Bahamin, Firoozeh Rasti Nejad, Maryam Khorsandi, Mojgan Pourshafie, Nasrin Khademi, and Noushin Hemmat were arrested in 1400 and later released on bail. Additionally, the homes of Mojdeh Bahamin, Farkhondeh Rezvan-Pey, Bashari Motahar, and Samira Shakib had previously been searched by security forces. According to unofficial reports, there are over three hundred thousand Baha'is in Iran, but the constitution of the Islamic Republic only recognizes Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism, and does not recognize the Baha'i faith. Human rights activists state that the rights of Baha'is in Iran have been systematically violated over the years. Human Rights Watch, on Farvardin 13, described the actions of the Islamic Republic in harassing Baha'is in Iran as a 'crime against humanity.' The spokesperson for the U.S. State Department stated the next day to Voice of America: 'The leadership of the Islamic Republic continues to disregard the rights of minorities, including Baha'is, and for this reason, UN human rights experts consider these actions indicative of a policy of systematic persecution.' Yekta Fahandezh, a Baha'i citizen, was released from prison on bail. The continued harassment of religious minorities in Iran; fifteen Baha'i women were summoned to the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan. Nasim Sabati, a Baha'i citizen, was summoned to serve a sentence of three years and eight months in prison. Rana reported the rejection of the request for retrial of Payam Vali, a imprisoned Baha'i citizen, by the Supreme Court. The issuance of an indictment against 15 Baha'i women on charges of propaganda against the regime and educational and propaganda activities contrary to Islam. Violation of women's rights in Iran; 20 activists and campaigners were 'arrested and imprisoned' within a month. The U.S. State Department expressed deep concern about the continued repression of Baha'is in Iran.