Additional Name(s): نیما مهین بخت

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: November/21/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Nima Mahin Bakht

Extra Bio Info:

Nima Mahin Bakht is detained for his religious belief and activity.

On November 21, 2022, authorities reportedly arrested Bakht in Sari, Mazandaran province, in relation to his being Baha'i.

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Additional Name(s): ساناز تفضلی

Gender: Female

Current Location: Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: November/22/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Distributing Religious Materials Education Rights Possession of Religious Materials Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Instruction & Teaching

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Illegal Assembly Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials

Sanaz Tafazoli

Extra Bio Info:

Sanaz Tafazoli is imprisoned for her religious belief and activity.

On November 22, 2022, authorities reportedly arrested Tafazoli in Mashhad in relation to her being Baha'i.

In August 2023 it was reported that the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced Tafazoli to six years and six months in prison for “forming a group to act against national security,” three years and seven months in prison for "assembly and collusion against national security,” and eight months in prison for "educational/promotional activities against Sharia.” During the trial, the presentation of “books and works related to the Baha’i faith” and the establishment of “educational groups for Baha’i children” were cited as evidence for the aforementioned charges. If her sentence is upheld on appeal, Tafazoli would serve six years and six months in prison as her sentences run concurrently.

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Additional Name(s): شهروز اسماعیلی

Gender: Unspecified

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Yarsani

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: November/18/2022

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Shahrouz Esmaeili

Extra Bio Info:

Shahrouz Esmaeili is detained for their religious activity.

On November 18, 2022, authorities in Sahneh county, Kermanshah province, arrested at least 30 Yarsanis, including Esmaeili, as they were commemorating the death of Yarsani religious figure Khalil Alinejhad, who was killed in 2001.

In July 2023, it was reported that the government had suspended prosecution against dozens of Yarsanis detained alongside Esmaeili in November 2022. Esmaeili is likely to have been released prior to or around the time of this decision.

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