Two Baha'i Women in Babol Tried on Charges of 'Acts Against Internal and External Security'

The first branch of the Babol Revolutionary Court tried Susan Eid Mohammadzadegan and Niyousha Badii Sabat, Baha'i citizens, on Wednesday, July 4. According to human rights sources, the charges against these two citizens are 'acts against internal and external security' and 'propaganda against the regime.' Susan Eid Mohammadzadegan and Niyousha Badii Sabat were arrested in August 2023 and released on bail about a month later in September. The judiciary of Mazandaran province reported last September the closure of two schools and several educational and sports centers in Babol on charges of 'propagating the Baha'i faith' and the arrest of two Baha'i instructors. Meanwhile, according to the Campaign for the Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners, informed sources rejected these charges, stating that no religious propaganda activities were conducted in these centers, which were kindergartens. Niyousha Badii, a psychologist and a well-known activist in the Baha'i community in Iran, had previously been arrested due to her activities. Recently, the European Union and dozens of members of the European Parliament expressed concern over the repression of Baha'is, especially Baha'i women, by the Islamic Republic. Several senators and members of parliaments from European countries issued a joint statement on July 28, calling for an immediate halt to the harassment of Baha'is by the Islamic Republic and the release of all Baha'i prisoners. The European Commission also urged the Iranian authorities on June 19 to ensure that all citizens of Iran, including ethnic, linguistic, and religious minorities such as Baha'is, enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms. Since the 1979 revolution, Baha'i citizens have faced widespread deprivation, including dismissal from government jobs, confiscation of property, closure of businesses, denial of education, and destruction of cemeteries. According to the annual report of the International Religious Freedom Commission from last year, repression, violence, discrimination, and social stigmatization by the Islamic Republic against Baha'i citizens have intensified. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has also expressed concern over the increasing pressure on religious minorities in Iran and the Islamic Republic's campaign against Baha'is. The Isfahan Revolutionary Court sentenced a Baha'i citizen to 10 years in prison, confiscation of property, and other penalties. The Isfahan Revolutionary Court also sentenced two Baha'i citizens to ten years in prison and a monetary fine. Support from ten female political prisoners for Baha'i citizens: standing alongside them to end their dual suffering. The trial session for the charges against Payam Vali, a Baha'i citizen, was held in the Karaj Revolutionary Court.