Additional Name(s): شهدخت خانجانی
Gender: Female
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Date of Detainment: May/29/2023
Date of Release: June//2023
Current Status: Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Illegal Assembly Public Disorder Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials
Shahdokht Khanjani was detained in relation to her religious belief or activity.
On May 29, 2023, authorities arrested Khanjani at her residence in Samnan in relation to her being a Baha'i. The authorities also searched Khanjani's residence and confiscated personal items belonging to her and her family.
In June 2023, Khanjani was reportedly released from prison.
In September 2023, it was reported that Khanjani was sentenced to 16 years in prison on multiple charges, including ten years for forming a group with the intent to disrupt security, five years for assembly and collusion, and one year for propaganda against the regime.
In January 2024, the Semnan Court of Appeal partially upheld Khanjani's sentence. The court sentenced her to ten years in prison for “forming groups to act against national security” and one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime." It also dropped her sentence for "propagating the Baha'i sect" originally handed down in September. Additionally, it annulled a fine and a 15-year deprivation of social rights. Khanjani is expected to serve ten years in prison as the sentences run concurrently.
Photo attributed to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
USCIRF Commissioners Susie Gelman and Eric Ueland, Tweet, February 12, 2024
"Baha'i Citizen Shahdokht Khanjani Faces Eleven-Year Sentence Upheld on Appeal" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"Long-Term Prison Sentence Upheld for Iranian Baha'i" Iran Wire
"شهدخت خانجانی، شهروند بهایی، بهطور غیابی به ۱۶ سال حبس محکوم شد" Voice of America (VOA)
ARAM Iran, Tweet, September 9, 2023
"Baha'i Citizen Shahdokht Khanjani Arrested in Semnan" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)