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

Extra Bio Info:

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.

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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

Extra Bio Info:

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. 

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

Extra Bio Info:

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.