Iran Arrests 77 Bahais Since January Protests, Some Accused of Killing Basij Militia Members

Peyvand Naimi was at work on January 8 when he was arrested in the afternoon in Kerman, southeastern Iran. The 30-year-old member of Iran's Bahai religious minority has been accused of involvement in the killing of three members of the Basij militia in Kerman on the night of January 8.

A close relative based outside Iran said this could not be the case because Naimi was already in custody that afternoon.

While in prison Naimi was subjected to two mock executions with his hands and legs bound and tied to a wall. He was deprived of food and beaten for five days. His parents visited him and saw signs of torture.

Naimi appeared in a televised forced confession. He has yet to face trial or be formally charged. Thirteen men have already been executed on charges linked to the January protests. His cousin Borna Naimi, 29, was arrested on March 1.

Borna Naimi endured at least two mock executions and electric shocks causing severe burns to his feet, according to the Bahai International Community. Discrimination linked to his faith had kept Peyvand Naimi out of university and swimming teams despite his excellence in the sport. The Bahai faith is a monotheistic religion dating back to the early 19th century.

It is not recognised by the Islamic republic, and a major Bahai faith centre and pilgrimage site is in Haifa, northern Israel. Seventy-seven Bahais have been arrested since protests erupted in January, Simin Fahandej, Bahai International Community representative at the UN, told Al-Monitor. "This is the type of escalation against the Bahai that we have not seen for decades," she said.