Baha'i Woman Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison

Baha’i News – In a disturbing development, the Revolutionary Court in Shiraz has sentenced Baha’i citizen Roya Sabet to 25 years in prison. The verdict, issued on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, also includes a two-year travel ban, revocation of her passport, deprivation of social rights, and a prohibition from engaging in online activities. If upheld on appeal, a maximum of 10 years of the sentence will be enforced.

The charges against Roya Sabet include “cooperation and communication with Israeli subjects and institutions,” “forming and managing a group with the aim of acting against state security,” and “engaging in propaganda activities contrary to Islamic law.”

It’s worth noting that Roya Sabet had returned to Iran on January 4, 2024, after residing in the United Arab Emirates for 23 years, to care for her elderly parents. She was arrested by Revolutionary Guard intelligence agents immediately upon her return, on charges related to “propaganda against the regime” and “harming state security.” Sabet spent approximately seven months in pre-trial detention before being released on bail in August 2024.

New Arrests in Tehran and Restrictions on Baha’i Merchants

In a related context, three other Baha’i women were arrested in Tehran: Sheida Rouhani, Shideh Tavakkoli, and Sheila Tavakkoli. These arrests occurred on May 26, 2025, when security forces raided their homes and confiscated electronic devices and personal belongings, including gold, jewelry, and foreign currency.

The crackdown hasn’t stopped there; it also extends to Baha’i merchants in Shiraz. At least 20 Baha’i merchants were summoned for interrogation at the Public Places Department, and legal cases were opened against them on charges of “propaganda against the regime” due to the closure of their shops during Baha’i holidays. This action contradicts Article 28 of Iran’s Professional System Law, which allows shop owners to close their establishments for up to 15 days a year for religious reasons. Sources indicate there is a list of approximately 400 Baha’i merchants who may be summoned in the future.

Home Raids and Deteriorating Health of Elderly Baha’i Prisoner

The campaign of repression continues with home raids. On May 25, 2025, the home of Baha’i citizen Mehran Dehghan Manshadi in Shiraz was searched by five security agents with a judicial order. After a thorough search, the agents confiscated a laptop, a tablet, a hard drive, family mobile phones, all books, religious photos, and gold necklaces with Baha’i symbols.

Additionally, the human rights website “HRANA” reported that on the evening of May 22, 2025, the homes of six Baha’i citizens residing in Yazd—Ramin Jiveh, Jamal Ghadirzadeh, Qudrat Mirzaei, Manouchehr Sobhani, Farrokh Shadpour, and Taraz Amiri—were searched by intelligence ministry agents. According to the report, security forces confiscated some of their personal belongings, including Baha’i-related books, mobile phones, and laptops.

Separately, the health of elderly Baha’i prisoner Ataollah Zafer, 82 years old, has deteriorated; he suffered a heart attack on May 24, 2025. This incident occurred after repeated disregard for his medical needs in prison, despite reports from his lawyers and fellow prisoners, and even doctors, to judicial officials about his critical health. Zafer had previously been released from prison due to his critical health, confirmed by forensic medicine, but was later re-imprisoned under pressure from security agencies in a decision described by activists as “bizarre.”

Systematic Persecution of Iran’s Largest Non-Muslim Religious Minority

Baha’is are Iran’s largest non-Muslim religious minority, with unofficial sources estimating their number at over 300,000. Since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, they have faced systematic persecution by the Tehran regime. The Iranian constitution only recognizes Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism as official religions, effectively denying Baha’is their most basic religious and social rights, including the right to higher education, public employment, and the freedom to practice their faith.

Pressure on adherents of the Baha’i Faith has significantly increased over the past year. These recent verdicts, arrests, and raids confirm the continuation of a systematic policy of discrimination against this minority, exacerbating their suffering amid the country’s difficult economic conditions.

A Brief History and Principles of the Baha’i Faith

The Baha’i Faith is a monotheistic world religion established in the mid-19th century in Persia (now Iran) by Baha’u’llah. Baha’is view their religion as the latest divine revelation, completing the series of religions that preceded it, such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Zoroastrianism, among others. They believe that all these religions originated from a single divine source and that their Founders are Manifestations of God.

Brief History:

The Beginnings (1844-1850): The Baha’i movement began with the appearance of the Báb (Siyyid `Ali Muhammad Shirazi) in Shiraz in 1844. The Báb declared Himself to be the “Promised One” who would pave the way for the advent of a greater Divine Messenger. His call gained widespread acceptance in Iran but also met with fierce opposition from religious leaders and the government, leading to the persecution of His followers and the Báb’s own execution in 1850.
The Advent of Baha’u’llah (1853-1892): Shortly after the Báb’s execution, Baha’u’llah (Mírzá Husayn `Alí Núrí) appeared in Baghdad (where He was exiled). In 1863, Baha’u’llah declared Himself to be the “Promised One” foretold by the Báb. Baha’u’llah endured multiple exiles and imprisonments, moving from Baghdad to Istanbul, Edirne, and finally to the prison city of Akka in Palestine (now Israel), where He spent the remainder of His life and penned the teachings of His Faith in numerous writings, most notably “The Kitáb-i-Aqdas.”
Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi:** After Baha'u'llah's passing, His son **Abdu’l-Bahá led the Baha’i community and disseminated His Father’s teachings in the West. Following `Abdu’l-Bahá’s passing, His grandson Shoghi Effendi served as the “Guardian of the Cause of God” and established the administrative structures of the Baha’i Faith worldwide.
The Universal House of Justice: After Shoghi Effendi’s passing in 1957, the administration of Baha’i affairs transitioned to The Universal House of Justice, an internationally elected body with its seat in Haifa, Israel.

Core Principles of the Baha’i Faith:

Baha’i teachings are founded on several core principles aimed at achieving global unity and peace. Among the most prominent are:

Oneness of God: The belief in one God, the Creator of the universe, who is transcendent and unknowable in His essence.
Oneness of Religion: All religions originate from a single divine source, and their Founders are Manifestations of God. The evolution of these religions reflects different stages in humanity’s spiritual maturity.
Oneness of Humanity: The Baha’i Faith affirms that all humanity is one family, advocating for the eradication of all forms of racial, ethnic, religious, and class prejudice.
Equality of Men and Women: Baha’is believe that full equality between the sexes is fundamental to societal progress and the achievement of justice.
Harmony of Religion and Science: They believe that religion and science are complementary and cannot truly contradict each other, and that truth must be discovered through both.
Compulsory Education: The necessity of providing education for all, as it is the key to individual and collective progress.
Independent Investigation of Truth: Baha’is encourage individuals to seek truth for themselves, rather than blindly imitating parents or religious leaders.
Universal Peace and Abolition of War: The call for disarmament, the establishment of a world government, and the achievement of lasting peace based on justice.
Solution of Economic and Social Problems: Emphasizing the need to find just solutions to economic and social problems that cause poverty and disparity.
Non-interference in Partisan Politics: Baha’is are prohibited from engaging in partisan politics or holding political office, but are encouraged to participate in community service.

These principles are considered fundamental pillars of Baha’i life, guiding its followers towards building a global society characterized by peace, justice, and unity.

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