Additional Name(s): سامان استوار
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: August/5/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Education Rights Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Instruction & Teaching
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials
Saman Ostovar is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On July 31, 2022, security forces arrested Ostovar in Karaj after raiding his home.
On December 13, 2022, Ostovar was released from prison.
In February 2023, it was reported that the Karaj Revolutionary Court had sentenced Ostovar to five years in prison for “insulting and propaganda against Islamic Sharia, forming and participating in groups to act against national security through teaching and preaching the Baha’i faith to children in Kindergartens, promoting against Islamic Sharia through holding coaching courses." The conviction appears to stem from his religious educational activities to children.
In June 2023, it was reported that Branch 12 of Alborz Provincial Court of Appeal had upheld Ostovar's sentence.
On August 5, 2023, Ostovar was reportedly taken to Central Prison in Karaj to begin serving his sentence.
Related Cases: Kamyar Habibi, Sabin Yazdani, Mahsa Tirgar Bahnemiri, Rameleh Tirgarnejad, Elham Shareghi Arani, Nakisa Sadeghi, Sadaf Sheikhzadeh, Shahrzad Mastouri, Negin Rezaie
Photo attributed to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"Nine Baha’i Citizens Begin Serving Prison Sentences in Karaj" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"13 Baha’i Citizens Sentenced to Over 40 Years in Prison Combined" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"Eleven Baha’i Citizens Sentenced to a Total of 36 Years in Prison" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
HRANA English, Tweet, December 13, 2022
"کامیار حبیبی، عفیف نعیمی و سامان استوار، شهروندان بهائی آزاد شدند" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"Baha’is accused of “colonialism” and “infiltrating kindergartens” as 52 fresh acts of persecution add to more than 100 in recent weeks" Bahá’í International Community
"Six Baha’i Citizens Arrested, Many Houses Searched" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"گزارش تکمیلی؛ بازداشت، تفتیش منازل و محل کار شهروندان بهائی در کرج" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
Additional Name(s): سها ثابتی, رحمانی, Rahmani
Gender: Female
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: July/31/2022
Date of Release: August/14/2022
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Education Rights Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials
Saha Sabeti was detained for her religious belief and activity.
On July 31, 2022, security forces arrested Sabeti in Sari after raiding her home.
On August 14, 2022, Sabeti was released on bail.
In December 2023, Branch 1 of the Sari Revolutionary Court sentenced Sabeti to two years and nine months in prison for "membership in a group...with the intention of disrupting the security of the country" and "deviant educational and propaganda activity." The court also imposed a fine of 37 million and 500 thousand tomans and 13-year ban on educational and cultural activities.
"Three Baha’i Citizens Receive Prison Sentences and Social Sanctions in Sari" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"ساری؛ سه شهروند بهائی به حبس و دیگر مجازات ها محکوم شدند" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
خبرگزاری هرانا, Tweet, August 14, 2022
"Baha’is accused of “colonialism” and “infiltrating kindergartens” as 52 fresh acts of persecution add to more than 100 in recent weeks" Bahá’í International Community
"Six Baha’i Citizens Arrested, Many Houses Searched" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"افزایش فشار بر بهائیان؛ بازداشت یک تن همزمان با تفتیش منازل ۵ شهروند دیگر" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
Additional Name(s): Behnam Mumtazi, بهنام ممتازی
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: July/31/2022
Date of Release: August/11/2022
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Behnam Momtaz was detained for his religious belief and activity.
On July 31, 2022, security forces arrested Momtaz in Qazvin after raiding his home.
On August 11, 2022, Momtaz was released on bail.
"بهنام ممتازی، شهروند بهائی با تودیع قرار وثیقه آزاد شد" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"Baha’is accused of “colonialism” and “infiltrating kindergartens” as 52 fresh acts of persecution add to more than 100 in recent weeks" Bahá’í International Community
"Six Baha’i Citizens Arrested, Many Houses Searched" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"افزایش فشار بر بهائیان؛ بازداشت یک تن همزمان با تفتیش منازل ۸ شهروند دیگر" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)