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.
@iranhrdc
#DigitalBlackoutIran
#iran_strikes
#iran_human_rights
#shayan_shakibaei
#peyvand_naeimi
#venus_hosseinnezhad
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.
@iranhrdc
#DigitalBlackoutIran
#iran_strikes
#iran_human_rights
#shayan_shakibaei
#peyvand_naeimi
#venus_hosseinnezhad