Baha’i mother and son arrested in Rasht to begin prison sentences

Hengaw: Thursday, February 20, 2025

Two Baha’i adherents from Rasht, Nazila Khanipour and Vesal Heravi, have been arrested and transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht to serve their prison sentences.

According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, on Thursday, February 20, 2025, Nazila Khanipour and her son, Vesal Heravi, were summoned to Branch Five of the Rasht Prosecutor’s Office, where they were arrested and subsequently transferred to Lakan Prison to begin serving their sentences.

Nazila Khanipour was previously sentenced by Branch Three of the Rasht Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mehdi Rasekhi, to two years and one day in prison, a fine of 80 million tomans, and a five-year ban on social rights. She was convicted on charges of ‘educational and promotional activities deemed deviant and contrary to Islamic principles.’

Her son, Vesal Heravi, was sentenced by the same court to seven months and 16 days in prison for “propaganda against the regime”, three years and six months for “educational and promotional activities deemed deviant and contrary to Islamic principles”, and ten years of deprivation of social rights. These sentences were later upheld in full by Branch 11 of the Gilan Court of Appeals.

On May 28, 2024, intelligence forces arrested Nazila Khanipour and Vesal Heravi during raids on their home and workplace without presenting search warrants. Hengaw previously reported that security forces searched their residence and confiscated personal belongings, including mobile phones.

Nazila Khanipour had been previously arrested by intelligence forces, while Vesal Heravi had been expelled from his university at the order of security authorities.