Iran: Ten Baha’i women sentenced to a total of 90 Years in prison in Isfahan

Hengaw; Sunday, October 20, 2024

Ten Baha’i women residing in Isfahan, identified as Shana Shoghi-Far, Negin Khademi, Neda Emadi, Neda Badakhsh, Arezu Sobhaniyan, Yeganeh Rouh-Bakhsh, Mozhgan Shahrezaei, Parastoo Hakim, Yeganeh Agahi, and Bahareh Lotfi, have been collectively sentenced to 90 years in prison, along with additional punishments by the judiciary of Islamic Republic of Iran.

According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, the First Branch of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court recently sentenced Negin Khademi (34), Shana Shoghi-Far (27), Yeganeh Agahi (31), Parastoo Hakim (47), Mozhgan Shahrezaei (32), Yeganeh Rouh-Bakhsh (19), Arezu Sobhaniyan (48), and Neda Badaksh (60) each to 10 years of imprisonment and fines of 100 million tomans. Bahareh Lotfi (27) and Neda Emadi (42) were each sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment and fines of 50 million tomans.

Due to the security-sensitive nature of the case, the verdict was delivered to the women in person. Additionally, all ten individuals have been banned from traveling abroad and prohibited from using social media as part of their supplementary punishments.

Hengaw had earlier reported that these ten Baha’i adherents faced charges of “propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran” and “engaging in educational activities contrary to Islamic law.” The alleged activities include organizing language courses, yoga, nature tours, music, painting, and language courses for children.

The ten women were originally arrested by security forces on October 23, 2023. Subsequently, they were released on bail over a two-month period while awaiting the conclusion of their legal proceedings.