Iranian Court Sentences 63-Year-Old Baha’i to Eight Years in Prison

A Revolutionary Court in the northeastern city of Mashhad has sentenced Siroos Zabihi, 63, a Baha'i citizen, to eight years in prison as the Islamic Republic steps up pressure on members of Iran’s largest non-Muslim religious minority. 

Zabihi was summoned to appear at Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad on November 4. Following his appearance, it was unexpectedly announced that the case was transferred to Branch 6, where the trial took place. However, subsequent to the order announcement, it became evident that the order had originated from Branch 1.

The entire trial process took just a week.

Zabihi is charged with the "formation of a group with the intention of disrupting the security of the country," "membership in opposition organizations" and “propaganda activities against the [Islamic Republic]."

He received a seven-year prison sentence for allegedly "forming and being a member of a group with the intention of disrupting national security."

Additionally, he was sentenced to a year in prison for alleged "propaganda activities," resulting in a total of eight years of imprisonment.

If the verdict is upheld in the Court of Appeal, the seven-year portion of the sentence will be enforceable.

This 63-year-old Baha'i citizen faces accusations solely based on his adherence to the Baha'i religion and has a history of multiple arrests dating back to the 1980s and 1990s.

The Iranian government has intensified its crackdown on members of the Baha'i faith, imprisoning dozens of them on spurious charges over the past year, as well as denying access to higher education, livelihoods, and confiscating or destroying personal properties.

Over the past two days, authorities have conducted searches at the residences of Baha'i citizens in the cities of Hamadan, Karaj, and Yazd, leading to the arrest of over a dozen people.