October 24, 2023
By RFE/RL's Radio Farda
Sources have told RFE/RL’s Radio Farda that Iran’s Intelligence Ministry in the central city of Isfahan has arrested 10 people who are adherents to the Baha'i faith, the country's largest non-Muslim community.
The sources, who spoke to Radio Farda on condition of anonymity, said that security agents armed with judicial orders detained Yeganeh Agahi, Negin Khademi, Arzoo Sabhanian, Yeganeh Rouhbakhsh, Shana Shoughifar, Mojgan Shahrezaei, Neda Badakhsh (Agah), Bahareh Lotfi, Neda Emadi, and Prasto Honneini.
The reasons for their arrest and their current whereabouts remain unknown, while the sources added that the belongings of some of the detainees were confiscated by security personnel.
Some of those arrested have previously been detained and handed judicial sentences.
There are some 300,000 Baha'i adherents in Iran, where the faith is not officially recognized, and an estimated 5 million followers worldwide.
In a religious fatwa issued in 2018, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei forbade contact, including business dealings, with followers of the faith.
Since the Islamic Republic of Iran was established in 1979, hundreds of Baha'is have been arrested and jailed for their beliefs. At least 200 have been executed or arrested and never heard from again.
Thousands more have been banned from pursuing higher education or had their property confiscated, while vandals often desecrate Baha'i cemeteries.
Since nationwide protests began in 2022, there has been a significant increase in the summoning and detention of Baha'i citizens.
Iran's judiciary last month said it closed down 12 schools and educational centers and made several arrests in the northern city of Babol on charges of “promoting the Baha'i faith.”
In July, Iranian security agents raided the homes of dozens of Baha'is in different parts of the country, arresting several well-known community leaders and charging many with "spying for Israel."
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