Additional Name(s): Vahed Kholousi Derakkshan, واحد خلوصی درخشان

Gender: Male

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: September//2015

Date of Release: April//2020

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Education Rights Religious Belief

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

Vahed Kholousi

Extra Bio Info:

Vahed Kholousi was imprisoned for his religious belief and education rights and human rights activism.

In February 2010, authorities arrested Kholousi reportedly in relation to his activity supporting Baha’i educational rights. 

On an unspecified date, Kholousi was later released on bail.

In August 2011, Kholousi was summoned to Evin Court, arrested, and subsequently released the month after.

In June 2012, it was reported that Kholousi had been sentenced to five years in prison.  According to United For Iran, Kholousi was charged with "membership in organizations that aim to disrupt national security" (Art. 499 IPC), "propaganda against the state" (Art. 500 IPC), and "assembling and colluding to act against national security" (Art. 610 IPC). United For Iran also described the charges as "acting against national security," "active membership in Bahai community and widespread missionary works," and "active membership in human rights group."  According to Human Rights Activists News Agency, Kholousi was accused of "assembly and collusion against national security, Baha’i membership, activism, and proselytizing, propaganda against the regime, and activism in defense of Baha’i student rights." 

In July 2012, Kholousi was reportedly released from prison.

In August 2012, Kholousi was arrested again after security forces broke up a relief camp set up to help earthquake victims in eastern Azerbaijan.  Kholousi was working there as a volunteer.

In September 2012, Kholousi was released again.

In January 2013, Kholousi was sentenced to two years in prison in relation to his work at the relief camp.

In September 2013, it was reported that the East Azerbaijan Court of Appeals acquitted Kholousi.

In September 2015, Kholousi was taken into state custody to begin serving his 2012 five-year sentence after an appeals court upheld the sentence. Kholousi was transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison.

In March 2018, it was reported that Kholousi was experiencing medical problems.  He had reportedly become ill and fallen unconscious.  Prison authorities reportedly denied him proper medical care.

In March 2020, Kholousi was reportedly granted release on furlough.

In April 2020, Kholousi was reportedly granted full release from prison in light of COVID-19 and the Nowruz holiday.

Additional Name(s): شهنام جذبانی

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Reports of Torture: Yes

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Appeal: Reduced to 1 Years, 3 Months' Imprisonment

Sentence: Originally 11 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: May/27/2018

Date of Sentencing: January//2016

Date of Release: December/28/2019

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 Treason & Sedition

Shahnam Jazbani

Extra Bio Info:

Shahnam Jazbani was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On October 17, 2012, authorities arrested Jazbani and several other Bahá’ís of Gorgan and the surrounding areas of Golestan Province following raids on their homes by intelligence officials.  Authorities reportedly confiscated religious books, portraits, and CDs. Jazbani was reportedly denied access to a lawyer.

In December 2012, Jazbani was released on bail.

In January 2016, the Gorgan Revolutionary Court sentenced Jazbani to 11 years in prison for “founding or leading an organization that aims to disrupt national security" (Art. 498 IPC), "propaganda against the state" (Art. 500 IPC), and “cooperating…with foreign States against the Islamic Republic of Iran” (Art. 508 IPC).

In December 2016, Branch 2 of the Golestan Court of Appeals acquitted Jazbani of "contact with the Israeli government."

On an unspecified date, Jazbani's sentence was reduced to 15 months in prison.

On May 27, 2018, Jazbani was taken into custody to begin serving his sentence.

On December 28, 2019, Jazbani was released from prison.

Jazbani was reportedly denied adequate medical care and subjected to torture and prolonged solitary confinement while in state custody.

Publicly Available Information:

Additional Name(s): نگین قدمیان

Gender: Female

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Health Concerns: Dental issues

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: December/16/2017

Date of Release: July//2020

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Education Rights Religious Association Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Illegal Assembly

Negin Ghadamian

Extra Bio Info:

Negin Ghadamian was imprisoned for her religious association and for providing religious education.

In the years prior to her arrest, Ghadamian, an educator, had been questioned by authorities about his work with the Baha’i Institute of Higher Education (BIHE). On May 22, 2011, authorities raided Ghadamian's and other homes of BIHE staff. In March 2013, Ghadamian appeared before the Evin Court.

On an unspecified date, Ghadamian was sentenced to five years in prison.  According to Iran Wire, she was sentenced in 2013 on charges of "acting against national security through membership to the Baha’i deviant sect” and "working with the 'illegal' BIHE." According to Bahá’í World News Service, Ghadamian was sentenced in June 2014. According to United For Iran, Ghadamian was charged with "assembling and colluding to act against national security" (Art. 610 IPC).

In early 2015, Ghadamian was reportedly arrested at her workplace to begin serving her sentence. However, her layer was able to secure her release on bail pending her appeal. 

In 2016/2017, an appeals court upheld Ghadamian's sentence.

On December 16, 2017, Ghadamian was taken into state custody to begin serving her sentence.

In November 2018, it was reported that Ghadamian had been denied adequate medical care to treat dental issues. 

In June 2020, Ghadamian was reportedly released on leave for 11 days. 

In July 2020, Ghadamian was reportedly released from prison.