With the continuation of pressures on Baha’i citizens, reports indicate the danger of issuing a death sentence for Payvand Naeimi and the continuation of detention and uncertainty of several Baha’i citizens in various cities.
Iran Human Rights Society, Wednesday March 25, 2025 – Reports indicate that Payvand Naeimi, a Baha’i citizen who is being held in Kerman prison, has been subjected to torture, mock execution and pressure for forced confession, and at the same time several other Baha’i citizens in various cities are in a state of detention and uncertainty; a situation that has increased concerns about the danger of issuing a death sentence and the continuation of pressures on Baha’is.
Payvand Naeimi in Danger of Execution After Torture and Mock Execution
Despite the passage of more than two months from the time of the arrest of Payvand Naeimi, a Baha’i citizen, he is still being held indefinitely in one of the solitary cells of Kerman prison. According to reports, during this period he has been subjected to mock execution and torture with the aim of obtaining a forced confession. The global Baha’i community, by issuing a statement, has expressed concern about the fate of this citizen and has called for immediate attention of the international community to his situation.
According to this statement, Payvand Naeimi, after enduring two mock executions, tortures and long-term interrogations, is now in serious danger. In this report, it is stated that the authorities have tried to force him to confess to crimes that, according to this statement, he has not committed. Mock executions are considered among the most severe forms of psychological torture and are prohibited under international law.
Physical Condition of Payvand Naeimi and Lack of Medical Care
Payvand Naeimi is currently being held in solitary confinement in Kerman prison and it has been reported that he continuously suffers from involuntary eyelid twitching and digestive problems, but prison officials refuse to provide him with medical services. It has also been announced that from the end of Esfand he has been under severe torture and interrogation for ten days, and on some days his hands and feet have been tied for 48 hours and connected to the wall.
According to reports, in addition to beatings, he has also faced insults to his religious beliefs and has repeatedly been subjected to mock execution. His physical and mental condition has been reported to be deteriorating due to these mistreatments, and in meetings with family members he has been under severe psychological pressure.
Charges and Forced Confessions
According to reports, Payvand Naeimi was transferred to the IRGC detention center on February 28, 2026 and then returned to Kerman prison again. The agents have claimed that he showed “joy and happiness” on the day of Ali Khamenei’s death and that on the evening of January 08, 2026 he was involved in the protests of Dey in attacking Basij forces and killing a Basij member.
However, according to these reports, he was arrested before the killing of the Basij member and as a prisoner he had no access to communication devices and could not have had a role in these incidents. Also, on February 01, 2026, a video of his forced confessions was broadcast on television, while the conditions of recording these confessions are not clear. Up to this moment, no court has been held for him, no verdict has been issued against him, and no evidence has been provided to confirm these charges.
Detention and Uncertainty of Baha’i Citizens in Various Cities
In continuation of pressures on Baha’i citizens, it has been reported that more than 60 days have passed since the arrest of five Baha’i citizens in Mashhad including Payam Faridiyan, Sepehr Kushkbaghi, Erfan Tabatabai, Rabie Maleki and Navid Zarrebin. These individuals were arrested in Dey in their homes or workplaces by security forces and are still being held indefinitely in Vakilabad prison.
Despite the continuous follow-ups by the families, no clear information has been provided about the process of their cases or their legal status, and the families have gone back and forth many times between the prison and the intelligence office in the past weeks, but have returned without receiving a specific answer.
Detention of Baha’i Citizens in Isfahan and Mashhad
Also, Nita Baba Nejad and her son Parsa Emadi, two Baha’i citizens residing in Isfahan, were arrested on March 05, 2026 by agents of the intelligence office of this city in their home. Mrs. Baba Nejad after arrest was transferred to the admission ward of Dowlatabad prison and Mr. Emadi was also transferred to the intelligence office detention center of Isfahan. These two citizens are still in indefinite detention and their charge is titled “propaganda against the system”.
In Mashhad also, Afarin Bashash, a Baha’i citizen from Mashhad, has been arrested since Dey by security institutions and is still being held indefinitely in Vakilabad prison.
Human Rights Violations in the Cases of Baha’i Citizens
Arrest, holding in solitary confinement, mock execution, torture, forced confessions and long-term uncertainty of Baha’i citizens can be in conflict with the principles of human rights and the rights of the accused. Reports also indicate lack of access to medical services and pressure for forced confession.
- Violation of the Right to Life – Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
Placing a prisoner in danger of execution after forced confessions and torture can violate the right to life and the fundamental principles of human rights.
- Violation of the Right to Liberty and Personal Security – Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights:
Long-term detention, holding in solitary confinement and uncertainty in the case process can violate the right to liberty and personal security.
- Violation of the Right to a Fair Trial – Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights:
Forced confessions, failure to hold a court and failure to provide documents can violate the right to a fair trial.
- Violation of the Right to Freedom of Thought and Religion – Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights:
Arresting individuals because of their religious belief can violate the right to freedom of thought and religion.
See also the below articles:
- Intensification of Arrests and Espionage Charges in Iran During War
- Increase in Pressures in Karaj Central Prison Amid War Conditions
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