NEW DELHI: The Bahá’í community of India has called on governments, international organizations, and civil society to act immediately to ensure safety, guarantee access to medical care, and uphold right to a fair and transparent legal process to Peyvand Naimi, a young member of the Community in Iran, who is reportedly facing torture, mock executions, and forced confessions on fabricated charges in jail, without trial.
Paria Sabet, his aunt, now residing in Srinagar and a respected educator, said, “Peyvand has always been a gentle, kind-hearted young man, known among family and friends for his honesty, humility, and deep sense of integrity. He treats everyone with respect and compassion and has never been associated with violence or wrongdoing. Raised with strong moral values, he has always stood by truth and fairness, even in difficult circumstances.”
“As his aunt, I cannot bear to imagine what he is enduring. The thought of him facing mock executions—not once, but twice—along with torture and isolation, is unbearable. I appeal not just as his aunt, but as a human being—please do not let this injustice continue. He deserves a chance to live freely, without fear, without torture, and without the shadow of execution. I urge all those in positions of authority—please act now. His life depends on it.”
Sabet has appealed to both the media and government authorities in India to take urgent steps to exert pressure on the Iranian government to halt the imminent persecution and possible execution of her nephew.
Sabet herself came to India as a student to pursue higher education. Following the 1979 revolution and the escalation of persecution against Bahá’ís, she was unable to return to Iran due to the risk of arrest and imprisonment.
In recent weeks, his case has drawn growing global concern. Urgent appeals have spread widely across social media, while representatives of several countries have raised the issue at the highest levels, calling on Iranian authorities to ensure his immediate release.
Naimi, a young professional from Kerman, was arrested on 8 January 2026 and taken into custody by Iranian authorities. He has been accused of participating in anti-government protests. However, in his defence, it has been pointed out that the charges are fundamentally flawed, as they relate to incidents that allegedly took place at a time when he was already in detention. Despite this, authorities continue to pursue these allegations, which carry the threat of capital punishment.
Reports indicate that he has faced two mock executions—recognized internationally as a form of psychological torture—along with repeated beatings, prolonged interrogation, and denial of food and water. During one period, his hands and feet were bound for 48 hours, and he was tied to a wall and beaten. He is currently being held in solitary confinement and is reportedly suffering from deteriorating physical and psychological health, while being denied access to medical care.
Nilakshi Rajkhowa, Director of the Office of Public Affairs of the Bahá’ís of India, stated: “Subjecting a young individual to torture, coercion, and denial of due process is a grave violation of human dignity and justice. The reported use of mock executions and prolonged mistreatment is deeply alarming and calls for urgent attention from the international community. Upholding the rule of law and protecting fundamental human rights must remain a shared global responsibility.”
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The case of Naimi reflects a broader and long-standing pattern of persecution. The Bahá’ís in Iran, the country’s largest religious minority, have faced systematic discrimination and repression for decades, particularly since the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1979. Today, Bahá’í communities are spread across the world, contributing constructively to the societies in which they live.
India is home to a vibrant Bahá’í community guided by principles such as the oneness of humanity and the unity of religions. One of the most visible expressions of these ideals is the Bahá’í House of Worship—commonly known as the Lotus Temple—in New Delhi, a symbol of peace, inclusivity, and unity.