Additional Name(s): بیتا حقیقی

Gender: Female

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Health Concerns: Contracted COVID-19

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 3 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: August/31/2022

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Education Rights Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Bita Haghighi

Extra Bio Info:

Bita Haghighi was detained for her religious belief and activity.

On August 31, 2022, authorities arrested 14 Baha'is, including Haghighi, in Mazandaran province under unclear circumstances. 13 out of the 14 arrested were described as "youth." A majority of the arrests reportedly occurred at a private home where those arrested had been studying and discussing the role of education in social progress.

In September 2022, it was reported that Haghighi had contracted COVID-19 and was denied proper medical care.

On an unspecified date, Haghighi was reportedly released from prison.

In July 2023, it was reported that the Ghaemshahr Revolutionary Court sentenced Haghighi to three years in prison and imposed a fine on allegations of engaging in “educational activities and propaganda at variance and against Islamic Sharia law.”

In November 2023, Branch 9 of the Mazandaran Court of Appeal upheld Haghighi's sentence.

Related Cases: Nazanin Goli, Mahsa Fathi, Golbon Fallah, Negar Darabi, Hengameh Alipour, Mani Gholinejad, Samiyeh Gholinejad, Sanaz Hekmat-Shoar, Afnaneh Nematian, Basir Samimi, Mojir Samimi, Sam Samimi, Anis Sanaie

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