Home of Bahai Family Searched in Isfahan
After raiding the residence of a Bahai family and searching their belongings, IRGC intelligence agents have sealed the carpentry workshop of the family’s son. The youngest member of the family has also been arrested, and his whereabouts are unknown.
Security and social pressures on Bahais in Iran continue. On Sunday, the 14th of Ordibehesht, the residence of a Bahai family, including a grandmother, son, and grandson in Isfahan, was simultaneously searched by IRGC intelligence forces. News agency “Hrana” reports that the workplace of Shahzad Hosseini, the son of the family, was also inspected and sealed on the same day, and he was asked to report to IRGC intelligence on the 17th of Ordibehesht.
Hrana reports that Shayan Hosseini, the grandson of the family, was arrested on Monday, the 15th of Ordibehesht, and his place of detention is unknown.
In this website’s report, quoting a source close to the Hosseini family: “On Sunday afternoon, IRGC intelligence agents in three groups, who had identified themselves as coronavirus officers, raided [the residence], breaking down doors and windows, and proceeded to search and confiscate the personal belongings of the individuals… After Shahzad Hosseini learns by phone that his elderly mother’s house has been raided, he goes there and discovers that the agents have entered his mother’s residence by breaking a window and mesh. Mrs. Hosseini went into shock and lost consciousness for a period of time… Shahzad Hosseini discovers at his mother’s house that his own residence and his son’s place have been raided at the same time.”
This source added that IRGC intelligence, simultaneously with breaking the locks of Shahzad Hosseini’s carpentry workshop doors, entered his workplace and confiscated work tools along with wood: “The report of this action was filed with the local police station with the accompaniment of workshop neighbors.”
Hrana, quoting the same source, reports that the next day, Shahzad Hosseini’s son, who had gone to the location to lock the carpentry workshop, encountered IRGC intelligence agents: “After the carpentry workshop is evacuated and remaining equipment confiscated, it is sealed, and after confiscating Shayan Hosseini’s car and cell phone, the agents take him with them.”
Persecution with a History
Followers of the Bahai faith have been under pressure and intimidation since the Islamic Republic came to power in Iran and are deprived of many civil rights, including the right to education or employment in government offices. Many Bahais are self-employed, but their shops are also raided and their businesses are sealed.
Bahais live under the pressure of arbitrary arrests, harassment, and the desecration of their cemeteries and homes. In November 2018, the body of a Bahai citizen was exhumed from a grave and thrown into the deserts around Damavand.
Recently, in the form related to issuing new national IDs, the option “Other Religions” has been removed, and applicants must adhere to one of the four official religions: Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. This situation means forcing Bahais to lie; while in this faith, lying about religious beliefs is taboo. Being deprived of a national ID card also means being deprived of a passport, bank card, driver’s license, and many other permits.
A few months ago, there was also an attempt to seal a nursing home belonging to Bahais.
The pressures are not only on the Bahai community, but attention to their rights also goes unanswered. For example, in 2018, Mehdi Hajeati, a member of Shiraz’s city council, was arrested for allegedly supporting two Bahai citizens who were under legal prosecution.
The most common charge that the Iranian government levels against Bahais is “espionage.” At least 200 Bahais were executed on this charge in the early days of the revolution. The global Bahai community says that persecution of followers of this religion has increased under the Rouhani administration. Many Bahais have left the country due to social and security pressures.
Source: DW
