Iran Sentences Two Baha'i Women to Imprisonment and Additional Punishment

Hengaw: Thursday, September 5, 2024

Two Baha’i women residing in Rasht, Shiva Kashani-Nejad and Mozhgan Samimi, have been sentenced by the judicial system of the Islamic Republic of Iran to two years and one day in prison, along with additional penalties.

According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, both Shiva Kashani-nejad and Mozhgan Samimi were sentenced by the 3rd branch of the Rasht Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mehdi Raskhi, for the charge of educational activities and promoting matters related to the Baha'i faith. 

In addition to their prison sentences, both women were fined 80 million and 10 thousand tomans each and deprived of their social rights for five years and one day as supplementary punishment. This verdict was communicated to their lawyers on August 17, 2024.

Shiva Kashani-nejad and Mozhgan Samimi were arrested in July 2023 during a raid on their home by security forces. During the raid, security forces confiscated personal belongings, including mobile phones, books, and even children's storybooks.

It is worth noting that in May of last year, Anisa Sami'yan, the son of Shiva Kashani-nejad, and Wasal Mumtazi, her son-in-law, were sentenced to a total of 9 years and 6 months in prison by the same judge, Mehdi Raskhi, due to their belief in the Baha'i religion.