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“All human beings are born free and equal

in dignity and rights.”

- Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Mahvash Sabet

Mahvash Sabet

Detained Since: July 31, 2022

Charges: "Founding or leading an organization that aims to disrupt national security" (Art. 498 IPC).

Sentence: Ten years in prison.

2008-2018 Imprisonment:

  • Detained: March 5, 2008
  • Released: September 18, 2017
  • Charges: Espionage, propaganda against the Islamic Republic, and establishment of an illegal administration
  • Sentence: Ten years in prison (reduced)
  • Original Sentence: 20 years in prison

Biography: Mahvash Sabet is a teacher and school principal who was dismissed from public education for being a Baha’i. Before her arrest, she served for 15 years as director of the Baha’i Institute for Higher Education, which provides alternative higher education for Baha’i youth. She began her professional career as a teacher and also worked as a principal at several schools. In her professional role, she also collaborated with the National Literacy Committee of Iran. After the Islamic revolution, like thousands of other Iranian Baha’i educators, she was fired from her job and blocked from working in public education. Mahvash Sabet was released in September, 2017 after completing her ten-year sentence.

Sabet was rearrested on July 31, 2022 along with two other Baha'i advocates who had previously been part of the Baha'i Seven.

Advocate:  Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)

Advocacy Partner: U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

Updates:

  • On November 21, 2022, after a trial which lasted approximately one hour, Mahvash Sabet and Fariba Kamalabadi were sentenced to ten years in prison (December 11, 2022, Voice of America).