Iranian Baha’i Faces Execution Threat Amid Torture Allegations

Peyvand Naimi, a young Baha’i imprisoned in Iran, is facing the threat of execution after enduring torture and mock hangings. Arrested under false charges, he has been subjected to severe mistreatment in an effort to extract a confession for crimes he did not commit. Despite the release of other political prisoners, Naimi remains in custody, highlighting the ongoing persecution of the Baha’i community in Iran. His family fears for his life as he continues to suffer in solitary confinement. This case underscores the urgent need for international intervention to address human rights violations in Iran.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 24, 2026, 18:17 IST

Severe Human Rights Violations in Iran

GENEVA—24 March 2026—Peyvand Naimi, a young Baha’i imprisoned in Kerman, Iran, is at risk of execution following two mock hangings and extensive torture. Iranian authorities are reportedly trying to coerce him into confessing to crimes he did not commit.

Mock executions are considered a form of severe mental torture and are prohibited under international law. Mr. Naimi was detained on 8 January under false accusations of inciting unrest during protests and was taken to a detention center operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), notorious for its abusive treatment of detainees.

A coerced confession, claiming he participated in the protests, was aired on state television on 1 February, after which he was moved to Kerman Prison. To date, he has not been tried or sentenced, and no evidence has been presented to substantiate the charges against him.

Despite the release of several political prisoners in recent weeks due to the ongoing national crisis, Mr. Naimi remains incarcerated alongside other Baha’is who are being targeted for their beliefs.

Since the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1979, the Iranian government has systematically scapegoated the Baha’i community during national crises, employing false allegations and coordinated disinformation campaigns through the media.

On 28 February, authorities accused Mr. Naimi of being involved in the deaths of three Basij security agents during the protests, despite his detention at the time of the alleged incident. He was also falsely accused of celebrating the death of former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, an event he was unaware of due to his lack of communication access.

His family is concerned that these fabricated charges could lead to his execution. From mid-March, Mr. Naimi endured ten days of severe torture, including interrogation, deprivation of food and water, and physical abuse. He was bound for 48 hours, beaten repeatedly, and subjected to psychological torture, including mock executions, all aimed at extracting a false confession.

A relative of Mr. Naimi, currently outside Iran, reported that his physical and mental health is deteriorating due to the mistreatment. "Peyvand has faced mock executions on two occasions," the relative stated, noting that during brief family visits, he often broke down in tears from the immense psychological strain.

After the first mock execution, Mr. Naimi expressed to his family that he had refused to confess. He was visibly traumatized and distressed after the second incident, which escalated to the point where he was nearly hanged.

Human rights organizations have consistently documented Iran's use of torture and mock executions to obtain false confessions. Simin Fahandej, a representative of the Baha’i International Community at the UN in Geneva, stated, "Mr. Naimi is being tortured and facing mock executions to confess to crimes he did not commit. The Iranian government lacks any credible evidence for these accusations, which is why they resort to torture. This cruel treatment stems from his identity as a Baha’i, reflecting decades of persecution against this innocent community."

Currently, Mr. Naimi is held in solitary confinement at Kerman Prison, suffering from involuntary eye twitching and gastrointestinal issues, with prison officials denying him medical care.

"The brutal treatment of Peyvand, an innocent young man, illustrates the Iranian government's relentless scapegoating of the Baha’i community," Ms. Fahandej added. "For five decades, they have shown unimaginable cruelty to coerce Baha’is into renouncing their beliefs. The international community must act swiftly to halt Iran's senseless targeting of Baha’is. Immediate action is essential."

Background information: timeline of events

● On 28 February, while exercising in Kerman Prison, Mr. Naimi was taken back to the IRGC detention center and placed in solitary confinement before being returned to Kerman Prison, where the mock executions occurred.

● Authorities claimed he celebrated the death of former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, which he was unaware of as a prisoner without communication access. His family was later informed that he was being punished based on this accusation.

● Mr. Naimi was accused by IRGC agents of involvement in a violent attack on Basij forces on 8 January, during the Iranian government's crackdown on protests, which allegedly resulted in the deaths of three Basij officers.

● Mr. Naimi was detained on the morning of 8 January, prior to the deaths of the Basij officers, making it impossible for him to have participated in the alleged attack.

● He was allowed a brief phone call with his family on 7 March, during which he mentioned facing new false charges and pressure to confess, asserting he would not be coerced into a false confession.