Hamadan: Six Baha’i women sentenced to nearly 39 years in prison

Hengaw - Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Six Baha’i women have been sentenced by the judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to a total of 38 years and 11 months in prison. The women are Neda Mohebi, Farideh Ayoubi, Zarrindokht Ahadzadeh, Zhaleh Rezaei, Atefeh Zahedi, and Noura Ayoubi.

According to information received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court in Hamadan sentenced Mohebi to seven years and eight months in prison. Each of the other five women was sentenced to six years and three months.

The court suspended three years of Mohebi’s sentence and two years of the sentences for Ahadzadeh, Rezaei, and Ayoubi.

The women were charged with "propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran" and "organizing illegal Baha’i classes and groups."

They were arrested in Hamadan on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, under harsh conditions. Hengaw previously reported that the arrests involved intimidation and violence. Their homes were thoroughly searched, and some of their belongings were confiscated.

All six were released on bail in December 2023, pending the outcome of legal proceedings.