Additional Name(s): ثمین احسانی
Gender: Female
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: June/15/2022
Date of Release: May/21/2023
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials
Samin Ehsani was imprisoned in relation to her religious belief and activity.
In August 2011, authorities arrested Ehsani, a children's rights activist, after she went to court to resolve some passport issues. Security forces reportedly raided her home and confiscated her belongings including her computer and religious materials.
A months later, Ehsani was released on bail. She was reportedly forced to stay in solitary confinement for 11 days.
There are conflicting reports on the year Ehsani was sentenced. Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court reportedly sentenced Ehsani to five years in prison for “propaganda against the regime” and “membership in the heretical Baha’i sect."
On an unspecified date, a Tehran appeals court reportedly upheld Ehsani's sentence.
On June 15, 2022, security forces reportedly took Ehsani into custody to begin serving her sentence.
In August 2022, it was reported that Ehsani contracted COVID-19 and was being denied proper medical care.
On May 21, 2023, Ehsani was reportedly released from prison after her sentence was converted into an open sentence. She will serve the remainder of her sentence outside of prison on parole.
Photo attributed to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"محکومیت حبس ثمین احسانی، شهروند بهائی به رای باز تبدیل شد" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"SAMIN EHSANI" United For Iran
"ابتلای عسل محمدی و ثمین احسانی به کرونا در زندان اوین" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"Baha’i Children’s Rights Activist Samin Ehsani Imprisoned" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"بازداشت و انتقال ثمین احسانی شهروند بهائی به زندان اوین" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"یک شهروند بهایی بازداشت و برای اجرای حکم به زندان منتقل شد" Radio Farda
"هرانا؛ محکومیت قطعی ثمین احسانی، فعال حقوق کودک به پنج سال حبس" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"Arrest of Samin Ehsani, Baha’i citizen living in Tehran" Iran Press Watch