Iranian authorities have arrested Bahar Sahraeian, a female lawyer and member of the Fars Bar Association, while she was carrying out her legal duties at the Revolutionary Court complex in Shiraz on May 16, 2026. She was detained by security forces and transferred to the women’s ward of Adelabad Prison in Shiraz.
Judicial authorities in Shiraz have charged Bahar Sahraeian with “assembly and collusion with intent to act against national security,” “propaganda against the state,” and “spreading falsehoods.”
Following the formal presentation of charges, a detention order was issued, and she was transferred to the women’s ward of Adelabad Prison for continued detention.
Bahar Sahraeian had previously faced security pressure, arrest, and judicial prosecution by the Iranian regime’s authorities due to her professional activities defending defendants in political and civil rights cases.
Escalating Pressure on Female Lawyers in Shiraz
In recent weeks, two other female lawyers, Elham Zera’atpisheh and Asetareh Ansari, have also been arrested by security forces in Shiraz.
Elham Zera’atpisheh was arrested on May 4, 2026, outside the Shiraz Prosecutor’s Office for the Enforcement of Sentences and transferred to an undisclosed location. She had previously been detained by security forces during the nationwide protests of 2022.
Ansari was arrested on Sunday, May 3, 2026, after security forces raided her home in Shiraz and transferred her to an undisclosed location. Since then, no information has been released regarding the reasons for her arrest or the charges brought against her.
