11 Baha’i citizens in Alborz province, Iran, have been sentenced to 36 years in prison and various restrictions on their rights and activities by the Revolutionary Court of Karaj. The 11 Baha’i citizens include Afif Naimi, Mahsa Tirgar, Kamyar Habibi, Rameleh Tirgarnejad, Sabin Yazdani, Elham Sharqi Arani, Nakisa Sadeghi, Sadaf Sheikhzadeh, Shahrzad Mastouri, Negin Rezaeii, and Saman Ostovar, were accused of “insulting the Sharia of Islam and doing educational and propaganda activities against it, participating in the formation of groups, managing individuals to disrupt the country’s security by promoting Baha’ism among children and adolescents, educational and promotional activities contrary to the Sharia of Islam through education and promotion based on Baha’i teachings in kindergartens, propaganda against the Sharia of Islam through coaching education.”
Eight of the 11 Baha’i citizens sentenced are women, with Rameleh Tirgarnejad facing three years in prison and a 30 million Toman fine, as well as a 5-year deprivation of social rights, ban on leaving the country, ban on staying in Alborz province, and a 2-year ban on educational and cultural activities. The other women each face 25 months in prison, a fine, 5-year deprivation of social rights, a 2-year ban on staying in Alborz province, 2-year ban on leaving the country, and 2-year ban on educational and cultural activities. Elham Shareqi Arani and Sabin Yazdani face similar restrictions, including three years in prison and five years of deprivation of social rights.
Elmira Rahmani, a musician, is still in custody
Another Baha’i citizen, Elmira Rahmani, a resident of Isfahan, is facing charges of spreading propaganda against the regime, inciting people to fight and kill each other to disrupt the country’s security by inciting others. She was arrested on January 16, 2023. She is still being interrogated and does not have access to her chosen lawyer. Mrs. Rahmani has a background in music performance in the Isfahan National Orchestra and the Isfahan Philharmonic Orchestra.
Fariba Kamalabadi sentenced to 10 years in prison
In a separate case, Fariba Kamalabadi, a former member of the board of directors of the Iranian Baha’i community, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in an hour-long court session without a lawyer. The Baha’i International Community has stated that the larger portion of the hearing was spent on the judge insulting and humiliating Mrs. Kamalabadi. Fariba was arrested on July 31, 2022, and transferred to Evin prison.
Baha’i citizens in Iran are systematically deprived of religious freedoms in violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees the right to freedom of religion and the freedom to express it. This systematic violation of Baha’i rights has been ongoing for years under the mullahs’ rule.
