Tahereh Noorouzi, Baha'i Citizen Residing in Shiraz, Arrested

Radio Farda has learned that the security agencies of the Islamic Republic have arrested Tahereh Noorouzi, a Baha'i citizen, at her private residence in Shiraz. According to informed sources, 'six government agents' entered the home of this Baha'i citizen on Sunday, June 9, 'with a judicial order' and 'after searching the house and seizing personal belongings such as books, mobile phones, laptops, and photographs, they transferred Tahereh Noorouzi to an unknown location.' This action comes at a time when Ms. Noorouzi has two children aged six and two, and her husband resides in another city. There is currently no information available regarding the location of this Baha'i citizen's detention or the charges against her. The Baha'i International Community reported on Tuesday, May 8, an 'astonishing' increase in attacks by the Iranian government against Baha'i women. The community stated that in recent times, Baha'i women in Iran have increasingly been targeted by the government, with more of them summoned and arrested. The statement indicated that of the 85 Baha'i citizens who have been summoned or imprisoned in Iranian courts over the past two months, 65—about three-quarters of those summoned—are women. According to this statement, the wave of attacks against Baha'i women across Iran has intensified in recent weeks, with dozens being summoned to court and facing 'baseless charges' that could lead to years of imprisonment, separating them from their families and exposing them to 'cruelty and violence' from the Iranian judicial system. Radio Farda has previously reported on new restrictions faced by Baha'is, including limitations on burial in Baha'i cemeteries in Tehran, the sealing of shops owned by these citizens, and dismissals from jobs, noting that with the onset of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests, a new wave of repression against Baha'i citizens in Iran has begun. The Islamic Republic does not recognize the Baha'i faith, and judicial officials have repeatedly labeled Baha'is as 'spies and enemies,' issuing death sentences, arrests, imprisonment, and deprivation of education and employment against them.