Two Baha’is in Shiraz Summoned to Prison

Two Baha'i citizens, Mina Karami and Soroush Iqani, face imminent imprisonment as the Iranian government escalates its crackdown on the religious minority. 

According to HRANA human rights website, on January 15 Mina Karami, a Baha'i citizen in Shiraz, received a summons from Branch 1 of the General and Revolutionary Prosecutor's Office in the city. 

The summons instructed Karami to appear before judicial authorities on February 1 to start a five-year prison sentence she had received during a previous trial.

In September 2022, Karami was convicted by Branch 1 of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court on charges of "deviant educational and propaganda activities contrary to Islamic Sharia law."

The sentence included five years of imprisonment, denial of social rights for 10 years, and a two-year prohibition on leaving the country. 

The verdict was later upheld by the Branch 37 of the Court of Appeal in Fars province.

Meanwhile, Soroush Iqani, another Baha'i citizen in Shiraz, was arrested to serve a six-month sentence. 

He was arrested on January 14 and subsequently transferred to Adel Abad prison in Shiraz.

Last year, Soroush Iqani was sentenced to two years in prison by Branch 1 of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court on charges of "gathering and collusion against the security of the country." 

The sentence was later reduced to six months by the appeals court.