Two Baha’i citizens living in Shiraz were arrested by security forces on Sunday, June 26, and taken to an unknown location.
The two Baha’i women are Shaghayegh Khaneh Zarrin, 20, and Negar Ighani, 22.
Their homes were searched, and their personal belongings including their religious books, computers, and smartphones were confiscated upon arrest.
No information is available on the charges against the two women and their whereabouts.
According to reports, Ms. Khanehzarin’s father suffered a heart attack on Sunday evening and was taken to hospital following the arrest of his daughter.
Ms. Ighani is one of the Baha’i citizens who has been denied higher education due to her religious beliefs.
Bahai persecution in Iran
Unofficial sources say that there are more than 300,000 people following the Bahai Faith in Iran. However, the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran only recognizes Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism and does not recognize Bahaism.
Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, Iranian Bahais have been systematically persecuted as a matter of government policy. During the first decade of this persecution, more than 200 of Iran’s Bahais were killed or executed. Hundreds more were tortured or imprisoned, and tens of thousands lost jobs, access to education, and other rights – all solely because of their religious belief.
The persecution of Iran’s Bahais is still ongoing with dozens of Bahais languishing in prisons throughout Iran.
