Extensive Raids on Homes of Baha’i Citizens by Security Forces
Security forces of the Islamic Republic have raided the homes of Baha’i citizens in four provinces of Iran. During these raids, security personnel seized computers, laptops, and religious books belonging to these citizens and took them away.
The security forces of the Islamic Republic carried out raids on the homes of Baha’i citizens in various Iranian cities on Sunday, Azar 2nd (November 22nd).
Hrana News Agency, the news organ of the Iranian Human Rights Activists Coordination Council, described this action by security forces as an “unprecedented raid” in a published report.
According to Hrana’s report, dozens of homes belonging to Baha’i citizens have been raided by security forces. It is reported that the homes of between 30 to 50 Baha’i citizens have been raided in at least four provinces: Tehran, Alborz, Isfahan, and Mazandaran.
Hrana continued in its report: “During these searches, security personnel seized a number of personal belongings of these citizens, including laptops, mobile phones, personal computers, and books related to the Baha’i faith, and took them away.”
The news agency announced that human rights activists in Iran are currently working to gather information and verify the names of families whose homes have been raided.
Mehdi Mahmodiyan, a civil activist, published the names of several Baha’i citizens whose homes were raided on Twitter on Sunday.
Regarding the motivation behind the security forces’ “unprecedented raid,” Hrana wrote: “As of the time of drafting this report, there is no available information about the reasons for this action by the security forces. In some cases, security personnel presented search warrants during the raids, while some citizens’ homes were searched without the presentation of a warrant.”
According to unofficial estimates, over 300,000 Baha’i citizens live in Iran. This is despite the fact that the Islamic Republic does not officially recognize the Baha’i faith and continuously carries out violations of their rights.
Source: DW
