Iranian Baha’i Actress Imprisoned on Propaganda Charges

Iranian authorities have imprisoned Baha’i actress Paria Marandiz on propaganda charges amid escalating restrictions on religious minorities in the arts sector, according to reports from human rights monitoring organizations.

Marandiz began serving her sentence at Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison on Saturday following a conviction by Branch 23 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. The court found her guilty on two counts: “propaganda activity against the Islamic Republic” related to the brief but intense 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June, and the more serious charge of “propaganda aimed at strengthening Israel.”

The actress, who has appeared in several Iranian films and theatrical productions, received a complex sentence structure typical of the Iranian judicial system. While the total sentence amounts to three years, under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, only the most severe penalty will be enforced – in this case, two years for allegedly strengthening Israel through propaganda. Additionally, eighteen months of her sentence has been suspended for a five-year probationary period, meaning she faces six months of actual imprisonment unless further violations occur.

Beyond incarceration, the court also banned Marandiz from all social media activity for two years, severely limiting her ability to communicate with fans or engage professionally online, according to documentation from the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).

The case against Marandiz developed rapidly over the summer. Security forces briefly detained her on June 17, conducting a thorough search of her residence. During the raid, authorities confiscated various personal belongings, including religious materials, books, electronic devices, and mobile phones belonging to both her and family members. Following this initial detention, the Intelligence Ministry summoned her for three separate interrogation sessions on June 20, July 1, and July 13, with each questioning reportedly lasting several hours.

The targeting of Marandiz appears to be part of a broader crackdown on Iran’s Baha’i community, particularly those with public profiles in the arts. Human rights observers have noted intensifying pressure against Baha’i artists over the past year, with numerous reports of professional bans, arbitrary arrests, and judicial sentences aimed at silencing this religious minority.

The Baha’i faith, Iran’s largest non-Muslim religious minority with approximately 300,000 adherents, has faced systematic persecution since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The Iranian government does not officially recognize the Baha’i faith, and followers face severe discrimination in education, employment, and religious practice.

Evin Prison, where Marandiz is now detained, has gained international notoriety for housing political prisoners and those deemed threats to the Islamic Republic. Human rights organizations have documented patterns of mistreatment, including prolonged solitary confinement and denial of adequate medical care within the facility.

International human rights organizations continue to express concern over Iran’s treatment of religious minorities and the use of vague propaganda charges to silence dissenting voices. The prosecution of artists like Marandiz has a chilling effect on creative expression in Iran, particularly for those from marginalized communities.

As tensions between Iran and Israel remain high following their direct military confrontation earlier this year, Iranian authorities appear increasingly sensitive to any perceived support for Israel, with religious minorities often bearing the brunt of such suspicions. The case highlights the precarious position of Baha’is in Iran’s artistic community, where religious identity can quickly transform from a personal matter into grounds for criminal prosecution.