Motorcycle Champion Shahrzad Nazifi Banned from Racing Track Due to Bahai Faith

Shahrzad Nazifi, a Bahai citizen and one of Iran’s champions and coaches in women’s motorcross, along with her husband Mehrshaad Naraqi and their two children, Morvarid and Nora, have been prohibited from participating in motorcycle sports activities.

The Iran Human Rights website reported on Monday, April 5, that Shahrzad Nazifi, Mehrshaad Naraqi and their children, all of whom are motorcross champions and Iranian Bahai citizens, have been banned from entering motorcycle racing tracks, participating in competitions, training, and motorcycle instruction without receiving any court order.

According to the report, this incident has occurred despite the fact that no institution has taken responsibility for this restriction and no ruling has been issued regarding it.

Shahrzad Nazifi was detained by security forces on November 18 of last year and was released from Evin Prison after 15 days on bail of 700 million tomans pending the conclusion of legal proceedings.

The U.S. State Department Special Adviser on Religious Minorities in the Middle East, South and Central Asia has criticized the continued harassment and persecution of minorities in Iran and has called on the Islamic Republic to immediately release all prisoners of conscience and respect freedom of religion.

Source: Voice of America