Additional Name(s): Bahareh Zeini, Bahareh Zaini, بهاره زینی

Gender: Female

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 3 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: September/23/2018

Date of Release: October/14/2019

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

Bahareh Zayni

Extra Bio Info:

Bahareh Zayni was imprisoned for her religious belief and activity.

On September 23, 2018, intelligence agents arrested Zayni following a raid on her home. Her arrest coincided with a wave of arrests targeting the Baháʼí community. Zayni was reportedly placed in solitary confinement.

On October 10, 2018, Zayni was reportedly transferred to Dowlatabad Prison.

Iran Wire reported that the 1st Branch of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court sentenced Zayni to three years in prison in November 2018. She was reportedly charged with “membership in the illegal Baha’i administration with the purpose of acting against domestic security” and “propaganda against the Islamic Republic regime by teaching the Baha’i Faith.” United For Iran reports that Zayni was sentenced to three years in prison and was charged with "membership in organizations that aim to disrupt national security" (Art. 499 IPC) and “propaganda against the state” (Art. 500 IPC).

In December 2018/January 2019, it was reported that an appeals court had upheld Zayni's sentence.

On October 14, 2019, Zayni was released conditionally.

Publicly Available Information:

Additional Name(s): Anoush Raeineh, انوش راینه

Gender: Male

Current Location: Dastgerd Prison, Dastgerd, Borkhar, Isfahan

Perpetrator: Iran

Ethnic Group: Fars

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: September/23/2018

Current Status: Unknown

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

Anoush Rayeneh

Extra Bio Info:

Anoush Rayeneh was imprisoned for his religious identity and activity.

On September 23, 2018, intelligence agents arrested Rayeneh following a raid on his home. His arrest coincided with a wave of arrests targeting the Baháʼí community. Rayeneh was reportedly placed in solitary confinement.

On October 10, 2018, Rayeneh was reportedly transferred to Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan province.

Iran Wire reported that Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court sentenced Rayeneh to six years in prison in November 2018. He was reportedly charged with “membership in the illegal Baha’i administration with the purpose of acting against domestic security” and “propaganda against the Islamic Republic regime by teaching the Baha’i Faith.” United For Iran reports that Rayeneh was sentenced to five years in prison and was charged with "membership in organizations that aim to disrupt national security (Art. 499 IPC) and "propaganda against the state" (Art. 500 IPC).

In December 2018/January 2019, it was reported that an appeals court had upheld Rayeneh's sentence.

United For Iran reported Rayeneh as released; however, that assessment has not been confirmed with additional reporting. 

Publicly Available Information:

Additional Name(s): Ali Thani, علی ثانی

Gender: Male

Current Location: Dastgerd Prison, Dastgerd, Borkhar, Isfahan

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Date of Detainment: September/23/2018

Current Status: Unknown

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

Ali Sani

Extra Bio Info:

Ali Sani was imprisoned for his religious identity and activity.

On September 23, 2018, intelligence agents arrested Sani following a raid on his home. His arrest coincided with a wave of arrests targeting the Baháʼí community. Sani was reportedly placed in solitary confinement.

On October 10, 2018, Sani was reportedly transferred to Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan Province.

Iran Wire reported that Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court sentenced Sani to six years in prison in November 2018. He was reportedly charged with “membership in the illegal Baha’i administration with the purpose of acting against domestic security” and “propaganda against the Islamic Republic regime by teaching the Baha’i Faith.” United For Iran reports that Sani was sentenced to five years in prison and was charged with "membership in organizations that aim to disrupt national security (Art. 499 IPC) and "propaganda against the state" (Art. 500 IPC).

In December 2018/January 2019, it was reported that an appeals court had upheld Sani's sentence.

United For Iran reported Sani as released; however, that assessment has not been confirmed with additional reporting. 

Publicly Available Information:
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