The Revolutionary Court of Isfahan Re-Trials 15 Bahai Women

Fifteen Bahai women were once again tried on Wednesday, September 25, on charges of "educational and promotional activities contrary to Islamic law" at the First Branch of the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan. According to the HRANA news agency, the women include Mojgan Pourshafie Ardestani, Nasrin Khademi Ghahghari, Azita Rezvani Khah, Shohreh Ashouri, Mojdeh Bahamin, Bashari Motahar, Sara Shakib, Samira Shakib, Roya Azadkhush, Noushin Hemmat, Shourangiz Bahamin, Sanaz Rasteh, Maryam Khorsandi, Farkhondeh Rezvanpey, and Firouzeh Rasti Nejad. This court session took place one day after the trial of ten other Bahai women in Isfahan on charges of "propaganda against the regime." These fifteen Bahai women were previously sentenced by the First Branch of the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan to five years in prison, a fine of 50 million tomans, five years of deprivation from social services, and two years of travel restrictions for "educational and promotional activities contrary to Islamic law" in late May of this year. Subsequently, in late September 2023, their case was sent to the provincial appeals court. However, the appeals court found issues with the case and returned it to the Revolutionary Court for corrections. Government pressures against these Bahai women had previously been applied. Twelve of these citizens were arrested in 2021 and later released on bail, while the homes of four of them were searched by security forces. On the same day, the Bahai World Community issued a statement emphasizing that "the promises have no effect on the bitter reality," declaring that the harassment and oppression of Bahais in Iran has intensified. The statement also noted: "The Bahai World Community is alarmingly aware of new instances of the government's ongoing efforts to cleanse Iran of Bahai history and identity." Since the 1979 revolution, Bahai citizens in Iran have systematically faced executions, widespread social and political discrimination, and illegal actions such as arrests and desecration of their cemeteries. Previously, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom expressed concern over the increasing pressure on religious minorities in Iran and the Islamic Republic's campaign to arrest Bahais. This commission reported that over the past several decades, Islamic Republic officials have systematically targeted Bahais, Christians, Gonabadi Dervishes, Zoroastrians, Yarsanis, Shia and Sunni Muslims, and non-religious individuals for harassment, arrests, long-term imprisonment, exile, or prohibition from participating in political and social activities.