News Center_ Amid an escalating campaign of raids, interrogations, and charges related to educational and propaganda activities, Baha'i citizens in Iran are witnessing a notable escalation in judicial sentences against them, reflecting the continued official approach of restricting religious freedoms and pursuing members of the Baha'i community.

The First Revolutionary Court in Sari has issued sentences against 12 Baha'i citizens totaling 26 years and 165 days in prison, in addition to 76 years of social rights deprivation. Rights reports indicate that Raquela Ataiyan was sentenced to four years in prison and ten years of social rights deprivation, while the sentences included Zahra Jalabian, Banafsheh Asadian Arab, Keyumars Akbari, Sohrab Laghai, Fouad Laghai, Anahita Koushkbaji, Nasim Samimi, Hossein Fanaian, Emilia Fanaian, Melody Samimi, and Sohail Haqdoust—each sentenced to two years and fifteen days in prison and six years of social rights deprivation.

The court charged them with "educational and propaganda activities" related to the Baha'i faith. Hearings were held on August 1, 2, and 3, and the case has been ongoing since 2023, moving between judicial branches in Sari and Qaem Shahr before returning to the First Branch of the Sari Revolutionary Court.

These sentences come amid continued security and judicial pressure on Baha'i citizens in Iran, with UN warnings of rising arrests and reports of human rights violations against members of this community.