Twelve Baha’i citizens in Mazandaran Province have been sentenced to prison and deprivation of socia

Twelve Baha’i citizens in Mazandaran Province have been sentenced to prison and deprivation of social rights by Branch 1 of the Sari Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Ammar Ramezani. They are Raquel Ataian, Keyumars Akbari, Sohrab Laghaei, Zahra Golabian, Banafsheh Asadian Arabi, Fouad Laghaei, Anahita Koushkebaghi, Nasim Samimi, Hossein Fanaian, Emilia Fanaian, Melody Samimi, and Soheil Haghdoost.According to HRANA, under a ruling issued on August 20, 2026, Raquel Ataian was sentenced to four years in prison and a 10-year deprivation of social rights. Each of the other 11 defendants received two years and 15 days in prison and a six-year deprivation of social rights.The court charged the Baha’i citizens with “conducting educational and promotional activities contrary to and disruptive of Islamic law, with the aim of promoting and encouraging the Baha’i Faith.” Their court hearings were held on August 1, 2, and 3, 2026.Proceedings in the case began in 2023 and were repeatedly transferred among the prosecutor’s office, the Qaem Shahr Criminal Court, and the Sari Revolutionary Court because of deficiencies in the investigation and disputes over jurisdiction. During part of the proceedings, Soheil Haghdoost and Raquel Ataian were detained and unable to attend the hearings. Following their temporary release, they were tried separately from the other defendants.@iranhrdc#DigitalBlackoutIran#iran_strikes #iran_human_rights#iranmassacre#bahaisofiran#ourstoryisone