Iran: Baha’i woman Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison
Published by Ali on May 16, 2021
International Liberty Association: Tehran revolutionary court has sentenced a Baha’i woman to 8 years behind bars on the accusation of forming a group to support women.
The Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Afshari, sentenced Atsa Ahmadai Rafsanjani to four years for “forming a group to act against national security through requesting an NGO license from the Interior Ministry”, 3 years in prison for “assembly and collusion to act against national security”, and to one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the state.”
Although Ms Ahmadi’s request for forming a NGO was rejected by the Interior Ministry because she was a Baha’i, she was sentenced to 4 years because of forming a group to act against national security!
It should be mentioned that, the security forces had arrested her on 20 January 2019, and imprisoned her in ward 240 of Evin Prison belonging to the Judiciary’s counterintelligence. However, she was temporarily released from prison on a 200-million Toman bail after 45 days.
The Iranian regime has stepped up pressure on the Baha’i community in Iran, making many arrests, handing down heavy sentences, and imprisoning others.
ILA: Iran does not recognize the Baha’i faith, with more than 300,000 members in the country. Instead of that, for four decades, the authorities have routinely harassed, prosecuted, and imprisoned Baha’is and other minorities, solely for practicing their faith. Baha’is are severely restricted of their right to education at universities.
