With Arrest of Another Person in Damavand, Number of Detained Bahai Citizens Reaches Four in Two Days

“Mitra Forsati Pour,” a Bahai citizen residing in Gilavand, a suburb of Damavand city, was arrested by security forces and transferred to Evin Prison. Prior to this, Voice of America reported on Monday, October 20, the arrest of three Bahai citizens residing in Shiraz named “Kiana Shoeai,” “Farzan Massoumi,” and “Sarvash Abadi.”

Based on reports published on social media, this Bahai citizen was arrested on Monday, October 20, following a visit by Ministry of Intelligence agents to her residence and was transferred to Ward 209 of the Ministry of Intelligence in Evin Prison.

It is worth noting that security officials, during the arrest, searched Ms. Forsati Pour’s residence and confiscated a number of her personal items, including a laptop and mobile phone, taking them away.

There is no precise information regarding the reason for the arrest of this Bahai citizen. However, the Civil and Political Prisoners Defense Campaign announced that security officials, during the arrest, accused Mitra Forsati Pour of “propaganda against the system.”

Claims by Iranian Government Media

Four Bahais were arrested in the past two days while Islamic Republic media outlets have been making accusations against these individuals.

Following the publication of the news of the arrest of these Bahai citizens on social media, Mehr News Agency, citing the Ministry of Intelligence, stated that these three Bahai citizens “under the pretext of the birthday of one of the leaders of the Bahai sect, were seeking to organize their elements in different areas of Shiraz and hold private and unconventional meetings during the mourning days of the last ten days of Safar” and were arrested.

IRNA also announced on Tuesday, October 21, with the publication of a report, that these individuals were planning to overshadow the Arbaeen procession.

These claims come as Islamic Republic authorities continue to suppress religious minorities despite international protests.

Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State, recently stated during remarks at the unveiling of the annual report on religious freedom that the suppression of Bahais, Christians, and other religious and sectarian minorities in Iran remains a serious concern.

Javaid Rehman, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, also stated in his second report on human rights conditions in Iran in August of this year: The Islamic Republic no longer executes Bahais simply because of their religious beliefs, but the danger of raids, arrests, and imprisonment of them continues to exist, and since August 2005, more than 1,168 Bahais have been arrested and faced vague and ambiguous charges.

International human rights organizations and the United States have repeatedly condemned the persecution and imprisonment of followers of religious minorities in Iran.

Source: Voice of America