In the ongoing oppression against Bahá’i adherents, a couple received imprisonment and social restrictions

Hengaw; Wednesday June 28, 2023

Vasal Momtazi and Anisa Samiyan, a couple in Bahá'í community and residing in Rasht, have received a collective sentence from the judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran. They have been sentenced to a total of nine years, six months, and four days of imprisonment, along with ten years and one day of social restrictions.
 

According to a report obtained by the Hengaw organization for Human Rights, Anisa Samiyan and Vasal Momtazi, a young Bahá'í couple from Rasht, were recently pronounced guilty by Branch Three of the Revolutionary Court in Rasht, presided  by chief Judge Mehdi Rasakhi. The court sentenced them to nine years, six months, and four days of imprisonment. The official verdict was presented to the couple on June 13th. Consequently, they will serve a prison term of three years and six months each.
 

The issued verdict reveals that Anisa Samiyan has been found guilty of "desecration of Islamic sanctities," resulting in three years, six months, and one day of imprisonment, along with a monetary fine. 

Additionally, she has been sentenced to one year and three months of imprisonment for "insulting the supreme leader" and seven months and sixteen days of imprisonment for "engaging in anti regime propaganda."
 

Furthermore, Vasal Momtazi has received a sentence of three years, six months, and one day of imprisonment for the charge of "engaging in deviant educational and propagandistic activities against Islamic shari’a law." Additionally, he has been sentenced to seven months and sixteen days of imprisonment for "engaging in anti regime propaganda."
 

The court proceedings for this Bahá'í couple were held on the 25th of March and June 7th 2023, they both were sentenced to ten years and one day of social restrictions.

Should this verdict be upheld during the appellate stage, by invoking the Article 134 of the Penal Code and the Law on the Accumulation of Sentences, the imposed sentence of three years, six months, and one day will be enforced.
 

It is important to note that Vasal Momtazi was apprehended on December 6, 2022 following a raid conducted by government forces on his residence. Subsequently, he was transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht.
 

This Bahá'í couple are also parents to two children, a five year old and a new born baby of 3 months old.