Additional Name(s): Shiva Kashani-Nejad (Samieian), Shiva Kashaninezhad (Samieian), شیوا کاشانی نژاد

Gender: Female

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: July/19/2023

Date of Release: August/10/2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Shiva Kashani-Nejad

Extra Bio Info:

Shiva Kashani-Nejad was detained in relation to her religious belief and activity.

On July 19, 2023, security forces from Ministry of Intelligence reportedly arrested Kashani-Nejad from her home in Rasht, Gilan province, in relation to her being Baha’i. Her whereabouts remain unknown following her arrest.

On August 10, 2023, Kashani-Nejad was released on bail

Kashani-Nejad’s daughter, Anisa Samieian, and son-in-law, Vesal Momtazi, were recently sentenced related to their religious belief and activity.

Related Cases: Mojgan Samimi, Vesal Momtazi

Additional Name(s): کیوان رحیمیان

Gender: Male

Current Location: Evin Prison, Tehran

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Date of Detainment: July/18/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Online Activity Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Identity Religious Instruction & Teaching

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

Keyvan Rahimian

Extra Bio Info:

Keyvan Rahimian is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity. 

On July 18, 2023, authorities in Tehran arrested Rahimian, a lecturer at an online Baha'i university, reportedly in relation to his being Baha'i. 

In February 2024, it was reported that the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Rahimian to five years in prison for "deviant educational or propaganda activities contrary to Islamic Sharia" and four years in prison for "colluding to commit crimes against the country's security." Rahimian was also deprived of social rights for six years and fined 50 million tomans. Rahimian is expected to serve five years in prison as the sentences run concurrently.

Rahimian has previously been arrested for his activism for the Baha'i community. 

Additional Name(s): پریدخت شجاعی

Gender: Female

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: July/12/2023

Date of Release: July//2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Paridokht Shojaei

Extra Bio Info:

Paridokht Shojaei was detained in relation to her religious belief and activity.

On July 12, 2023, authorities in Kerman arrested five Baha'is, including Shojaei, at the residence of Shahram Fallah. The authorities searched the residence and seized some personal belongings.

In July 2023, Shojaei was released on bail.

Related Cases: Foad Shaker, Shahram Fallah, Yekta Fallah, Behnam Pour-Ahmadi.

Sources: