Intelligence agents of the Islamic Republic raided the homes of four Baha'i citizens in the central city of Yazd, forcibly entering by breaking locks and confiscating religious materials and personal belongings.
According to reports, male and female agents broke the entrance locks of the homes of Saman Zaer and Nosrat Mohammadi around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The masked security agents conducted the raids without presenting warrants. They filmed the searches and carried out body checks on the residents.
After thoroughly searching the premises, the agents seized religious artifacts, mobile phones, gold, and jewelry.
Several agents also raided the upper floor of Mohammadi’s home, where his son Milad Mohammadi and daughter-in-law Soha Rohanifard live. The Baha'i couple was not present at the time, as they were traveling.
Intelligence agents also raided the home of Soheil Rohanifard, Soha Rohanifard’s father. Following the search, they confiscated religious books, electronic devices, and other valuables.
Baha’is in Iran have long faced persecution for their religious beliefs and are frequently accused of espionage or acting against the state.
The Baha’i International Community maintains that no credible evidence has ever been presented to support these claims.
Over the past two years, the Iranian government has intensified its crackdown on members of the Baha’i faith, imprisoning dozens on spurious charges, denying them access to higher education and employment, and confiscating or destroying their properties.
In its latest annual report, Human Rights Watch described the repression of Baha'is and the systematic denial of their basic rights as a crime against humanity.
Interested in writing for IranWire?
Share your stories.
comments