Iranian security forces have arrested a follower of the Baha'i faith in the central city of Isfahan amid a relentless wave of repression against the religious minority in the country.
Arash Nabavi was arrested at his home on August 14 by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence, who also confiscated his personal belongings, including mobile phones, tablets and Baha'i-related books.
Nabavi's parents were later informed he was being interrogated at the Intelligence Department in Isfahan.
No reason was provided for the search and the arrest.
Baha’is have been persecuted in Iran for decades and are often accused of being spies or opposed to the Iranian government.
On August 16, the Baha'i International Community denounced a “new wave of repression” targeting Baha’is, saying that approximately 60 of them have been arrested or imprisoned across the country in recent weeks.
Eighteen have faced interrogations, 59 Baha’i-owned businesses were reportedly sealed by the authorities and the homes of nine others were raided and searched.
Shia Islam is the state religion in Iran. The constitution recognizes several minority faiths, including Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism, but not the Baha'i faith.
The Baha’i community claims to have more than seven million followers worldwide, including some 300,000 in Iran.
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