On Sunday, February 1, 2026, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) Channel 2 aired forced confessions of several citizens from Kerman including two Baha'is, during its 20:30 news broadcast. The report, produced by Ameneh Sadat Zabihpour, a notorious IRIB presenter known for promoting coerced confessions, portrayed Shayan Shakibaei, a 29-year-old resident of Kerman who was arrested on January 8, as a “leader” of the protests in the city.
Two Baha’i citizens, Peyvand Naeimi and Venus Hosseinnezhad, also appeared in the video. Peyvand Naeimi, 30, was arrested at his workplace on January 8 and transferred to an undisclosed location. Venus Hosseinnezhad, 28, was arrested at her workplace on January 15 and likewise taken to an undisclosed location.
The report also features two additional individuals whose identities have not yet been confirmed.
As in other forced-confession videos, the broadcast repeated a familiar narrative linking the protests to “foreign countries” and accusing those shown of armed activity—claims made without presenting evidence and reportedly extracted under pressure during interrogations.
The Islamic Republic has a long record of extracting confessions under coercion, a practice that violates international human rights standards and can pave the way for severe and grossly unjust sentences against those targeted.
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Two Baha’i citizens, Peyvand Naeimi and Venus Hosseinnezhad, also appeared in the video. Peyvand Naeimi, 30, was arrested at his workplace on January 8 and transferred to an undisclosed location. Venus Hosseinnezhad, 28, was arrested at her workplace on January 15 and likewise taken to an undisclosed location.
The report also features two additional individuals whose identities have not yet been confirmed.
As in other forced-confession videos, the broadcast repeated a familiar narrative linking the protests to “foreign countries” and accusing those shown of armed activity—claims made without presenting evidence and reportedly extracted under pressure during interrogations.
The Islamic Republic has a long record of extracting confessions under coercion, a practice that violates international human rights standards and can pave the way for severe and grossly unjust sentences against those targeted.
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Reports from the city of Kerman indicate that despite the release of many individuals detained during the recent protests on bail, four Baha’i detainees remain in custody and their situation remains unclear. According to available information, none of these individuals had participated in the protests and were reportedly arrested either at their homes or workplaces.
Sources close to the families identified the detainees as Shakila Ghasemi, Peyvand Naeimi, Adib Shahbazpour, and Borna Naeimi. According to these sources, judicial and security authorities have so far refused to accept bail or property bonds for their release. Families say that despite repeated follow-ups, they have not received clear information regarding the status of the cases or a possible timeline for their release. Officials have reportedly just told the families that they will be contacted “at the appropriate time.”
Among the four detainees, the case of Shakila Ghasemi has raised particular concern. While other Baha’i women detained in the same case have reportedly been released, she remains in the custody of the IRGC Intelligence and is currently the only woman still held in connection with the case.
Her family says that her mother has repeatedly visited relevant authorities to follow up on her daughter’s case and to offer bail for her release. However, she has not received any clear response regarding the status of the case or the possibility of securing her daughter’s release.
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Sources close to the families identified the detainees as Shakila Ghasemi, Peyvand Naeimi, Adib Shahbazpour, and Borna Naeimi. According to these sources, judicial and security authorities have so far refused to accept bail or property bonds for their release. Families say that despite repeated follow-ups, they have not received clear information regarding the status of the cases or a possible timeline for their release. Officials have reportedly just told the families that they will be contacted “at the appropriate time.”
Among the four detainees, the case of Shakila Ghasemi has raised particular concern. While other Baha’i women detained in the same case have reportedly been released, she remains in the custody of the IRGC Intelligence and is currently the only woman still held in connection with the case.
Her family says that her mother has repeatedly visited relevant authorities to follow up on her daughter’s case and to offer bail for her release. However, she has not received any clear response regarding the status of the case or the possibility of securing her daughter’s release.
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According to a report by the Baha’i International Community, Peyvand Naeimi, a young Baha’i imprisoned in Kerman, is facing serious danger. He has reportedly been subjected to torture, repeated interrogations, and at least two mock executions—one of the most severe forms of psychological coercion used to extract confessions.
He was arrested on January 8, 2026, on charges related to participation in protests. However, no trial has been held so far, and no evidence has been presented against him. Despite the fact that he was already in custody during some of the alleged incidents, new charges have been brought against him, raising concerns that additional fabricated accusations may be added to his case.
The report states that since mid-March, he has endured ten days of severe torture, continuous interrogation, and deprivation of food and water. His hands and feet were bound for 48 hours, he was chained to a wall, and repeatedly beaten. Even days later, the physical and psychological abuse reportedly continued. His religious beliefs were mocked, and he was subjected to further interrogations and mock executions in an attempt to force a confession. He is said to have been held in solitary confinement, denied access to food, water, and medical care, and his physical and mental condition is rapidly deteriorating.
Naeimi had previously been forced to make a confession under pressure, which was broadcast on February 1, 2026, on Iran’s state television Channel 2. Now, with new allegations being raised, authorities are reportedly attempting to extract further confessions through torture and mock executions.
Simin Fahandej, spokesperson for the Baha’i International Community, emphasized that such actions are aimed at persecuting Baha’is and coercing them to renounce their beliefs, and called on the international community to respond urgently.
This case also reflects a broader pattern: the Baha’i community in Iran has long faced systematic persecution, and recent reports indicate an escalation in arrests and crackdowns in cities such as Kerman, Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, and Yazd.
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He was arrested on January 8, 2026, on charges related to participation in protests. However, no trial has been held so far, and no evidence has been presented against him. Despite the fact that he was already in custody during some of the alleged incidents, new charges have been brought against him, raising concerns that additional fabricated accusations may be added to his case.
The report states that since mid-March, he has endured ten days of severe torture, continuous interrogation, and deprivation of food and water. His hands and feet were bound for 48 hours, he was chained to a wall, and repeatedly beaten. Even days later, the physical and psychological abuse reportedly continued. His religious beliefs were mocked, and he was subjected to further interrogations and mock executions in an attempt to force a confession. He is said to have been held in solitary confinement, denied access to food, water, and medical care, and his physical and mental condition is rapidly deteriorating.
Naeimi had previously been forced to make a confession under pressure, which was broadcast on February 1, 2026, on Iran’s state television Channel 2. Now, with new allegations being raised, authorities are reportedly attempting to extract further confessions through torture and mock executions.
Simin Fahandej, spokesperson for the Baha’i International Community, emphasized that such actions are aimed at persecuting Baha’is and coercing them to renounce their beliefs, and called on the international community to respond urgently.
This case also reflects a broader pattern: the Baha’i community in Iran has long faced systematic persecution, and recent reports indicate an escalation in arrests and crackdowns in cities such as Kerman, Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, and Yazd.
@iranhrdc
#DigitalBlackoutIran
#iran_strikes
#iran_human_rights
#iranmassacre
#Peyvand_Naeimi