Continued Detention of “Navid Zarrabinian-Iranian,” Bahai Citizen, in Mashhad
More than five and a half months after the arrest of “Navid Zarrabinian-Iranian,” a Bahai citizen and photographer residing in Mashhad, he continues to be held in Vakilabad Prison without a final verdict and under unclear circumstances. Reports indicate that despite the holding of the final interrogation session and the possibility of temporary release on bail, opposition from security agencies has prevented his release; a development that has once again heightened concerns about the condition of Bahais and the process of handling belief-related cases in Iran.
Reports published by human rights organization Hengaw show that Navid Zarrabinian-Iranian, a Bahai citizen and photographer from Mashhad, after 168 days from the time of his arrest, continues to be held indefinitely in Vakilabad Prison in the city, and the judiciary has not approved his temporary release on bail to date.
According to the report, Mr. Zarrabinian-Iranian was transferred to the General and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Mashhad on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, to present his final defense and hold the final interrogation session, but according to informed sources, opposition from security agencies to changing his detention order has prevented his temporary release.
Navid Zarrabinian-Iranian was arrested on January 16, 2025, during a raid by intelligence ministry officials on his home and in front of his teenage son. After approximately 40 days of interrogation at the intelligence agency detention facility, he was transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad; where he continues to remain in custody due to successive extensions of his temporary detention order.
Based on published information, judicial authorities have cited the reason for the repeated extension of the detention order as “the failure to submit the final report from the Ministry of Intelligence”; an issue that, according to human rights organizations, raises questions about the independence of the legal proceedings and the role of security agencies in judicial decisions.
Since the end of the first week of April, this Bahai citizen has been transferred to Ward 1-6 of Vakilabad Prison without a final verdict; a ward designated for holding political, ideological, and security prisoners; however, according to reports, contrary to the principle of separation of crimes, some prisoners convicted of serious crimes and even those sentenced to death are also held in the same ward.
Sources close to the case have also stated that Navid Zarrabinian-Iranian, during his time in prison, has faced several confrontations with prison officials due to his positive relations with other inmates and his humanitarian spirit. According to these sources, he has been transferred at least twice to cells with high population density and limited facilities in order to reduce his contact with other prisoners.
The global Bahai community and international human rights organizations have repeatedly expressed concern in recent years over the security and judicial pressures on followers of the Bahai faith in Iran. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights have repeatedly stated in their reports that Bahais in Iran face arrest, deprivation of civil rights, employment and educational restrictions, and legal persecution due to their religious beliefs.
As of the time of publication of this report, judicial and security authorities of the Islamic Republic have not released any explanation regarding the latest status of Navid Zarrabinian-Iranian’s case or the reason for their opposition to his temporary release.
