Additional Name(s): متین گرجی
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: January/8/2023
Date of Release: January/31/2023
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Online Activity Possession of Religious Materials Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Insulting Public Officials & Institutions
Matin Gorji was detained in relation to his religious belief and activity.
On January 8, 2023, authorities in Qaemshahr reportedly arrested Gorji, a Baha'i. Authorities reportedly searched Gorji's home and confiscated electronics and religious books. Gorji was reportedly charged with "insulting" Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei allegedly on his YouTube channel. Gorji's arrest came amid the outbreak of nationwide protests against the death of Mahsa Amini and mandatory religious veiling.
On January 31, 2023, Gorji was reportedly released after posting bail.
Photo attributed to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"متین گرجی، شهروند بهائی با تودیع قرار وثیقه آزاد شد" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"Jailed Iranian Baha'i Accused Of "Insulting" Islamic Republic Leader" IranWire
HRANA English, Tweet, January 9, 2023
"متین گرجی، شهروند بهائی توسط نیروهای امنیتی در قائمشهر بازداشت شد" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
Additional Name(s): غزل پاکزاد
Gender: Female
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: January//2023
Date of Release: January/11/2023
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Online Activity Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Ghazal Pakzad was detained in relation to her religious belief.
In January 2023, authorities in Zahedan reportedly arrested Pakzad for being Baha'i and supporting nationwide protests on her Instagram.
On January 11, 2023, Pakzad was reportedly released on bail.
Related Cases: Reyhaneh Pakzad
"اعتراضات سراسری؛ گزارشی از بازداشت و آزادی ۳ شهروند" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
ARAM Iran, Tweet, January 8, 2023
"گزارشی از بازداشت و آزادی چهار شهروند از جمله دو زن و یک نوجوان در شهرهای مختلف" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"بازداشت دو زن بهایی ساکن زاهدان توسط اطلاعات سپاه" The Baloch Activists' Campaign
Additional Name(s): ریحانه پاکزاد
Gender: Female
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: January//2023
Date of Release: January/11/2023
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Online Activity Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Reyhaneh Pakzad was detained in relation to her religious belief and activity.
In January 2023, authorities in Zahedan reportedly arrested Pakzad for being Baha'i and supporting nationwide protests on her Instagram.
On January 11, 2023, Pakzad was reportedly released on bail.
Related Cases: Ghazal Pakzad
"اعتراضات سراسری؛ گزارشی از بازداشت و آزادی ۳ شهروند" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
USCIRF Commissioners Sharon Kleinbaum and Eric Ueland, Tweet, January 10, 2023
ARAM Iran, Tweet, January 8, 2023
"گزارشی از بازداشت و آزادی چهار شهروند از جمله دو زن و یک نوجوان در شهرهای مختلف" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"بازداشت دو زن بهایی ساکن زاهدان توسط اطلاعات سپاه" The Baloch Activists' Campaign