63 Baha’is Detained Across Iran Solely for Their Beliefs

June 12, 2026

3 min read

On 7 June 2026, it was learned that Bahá'í sisters Mandana Sotoudeh and Mahsa Sotoudeh have been held in Shiraz's Adelabad Prison for more than 70 days without charge.

On 10 June 2026, it was learned that Bahá'í couple Mr. Behzad Yazdani and Mrs. Romina Khazali, have remained in Adelabad Prison for more than 70 days without charge.

On 6 June 2026, Parsa Najafi, a 19-year-old Bahá'í resident of Isfahan, was arrested by security agents at his family home and transferred to Isfahan Central Prison.

On 10 June 2026, it was learned that Pejman Zare, a Bahá'í from Shiraz, has been held in Adelabad Prison for nearly three months without charge.

On 6 June 2026, it was learned that authorities have extended the detention order of Flora Samadani, a 55-year-old Bahá'í from Yazd, for an additional month. She has now spent 35 days in custody in Yazd Prison without a final judicial decision.

As of 11 June 2026, 63 Bahá'ís (35 women, 28 men) are detained across Iran solely for their beliefs, held in prisons, Revolutionary Guard facilities, and undisclosed locations. Many have suffered torture, solitary confinement, beatings, electric shocks, mock executions, and denial of medical care, while an additional 15 are under electronic monitoring outside prison. The largest concentrations are in Isfahan's Dowlatabad Prison and Mashhad's Vakilabad Prison.

On 6 June 2026, Parsa Najafi, a 19-year-old Bahá'í resident of Isfahan, was arrested by security agents at his family home and transferred to Isfahan Central Prison. Authorities simultaneously searched the residence, confiscating mobile phones, laptops, bank cards, cash, passports, paintings, and school books. Relatives only learned of his transfer through a brief phone call and have received no further information. This is the second time the Najafi home has been searched, following a previous raid on 22 December 2024. No charges have been disclosed.

On 7 June 2026, it was learned that Bahá'í sisters Mandana Sotoudeh and Mahsa Sotoudeh have been held in Shiraz's Adelabad Prison for more than 70 days without charge. Revolutionary Guard forces arrested Mahsa, 25, on 29 March 2026 at their family home. Mandana, 38, was arrested alongside her husband on 1 April 2026 with the use of force. Both sisters are held separately and have shown signs of severe emotional strain during brief interrogation calls. Mandana has developed a heart condition requiring medical supervision, while Mahsa requires prescribed medication. Both have been denied family visits and phone calls. Authorities have provided no explanation for their detention.

On 10 June 2026, it was learned that Bahá'í couple Mr. Behzad Yazdani and Mrs. Romina Khazali, have remained in Adelabad Prison for more than 70 days without charge. Authorities have not disclosed charges nor accepted bail. Romina has been denied medication for chronic back pain, stomach complications, migraines, and glaucoma. A gastrointestinal virus has spread in her ward, with no adequate medical facilities. The couple was arrested in late March 2026. Their two teenage children, now caring for elderly grandparents, were interrogated during the arrests.

On 10 June 2026, it was learned that Pejman Zare, a Bahá'í from Shiraz, has been held in Adelabad Prison for nearly three months without charge. Authorities have refused bail, citing "serious charges" without specifying them. He has been denied a forensic medical examination and the right to choose his own legal counsel, restricted instead to a judiciary-approved list of lawyers. Zare was arrested on 15 March 2026 by Ministry of Intelligence agents, subjected to physical and psychological abuse during interrogation, then transferred to prison. He is the father of an 11-month-old child and was denied in-person visits for nearly three months.

On 6 June 2026, it was learned that authorities have extended the detention order of Flora Samadani, a 55-year-old Bahá'í from Yazd, for an additional month. She has now spent 35 days in custody in Yazd Prison without a final judicial decision. Branch 6 of the Yazd Prosecutor's Office renewed her detention order on 6 June 2026. Family members following up on her case were informed that it had not yet been referred to the prosecutor's office and that no timetable had been set for further proceedings.

These updates cover 5 June - 12 June 2026, and are drawn from bulletins provided by the Baha'i International Community.