Parsa Najafi, a member of Iran’s Bahá’í community who was 19 at the time of his arrest, was detained on 6 June 2026 during a search of his parents’ home in the Iranian city of Isfahan. According to information received by the ISHR, he has since been held in Isfahan Central Prison. Neither charges nor a judgment against Najafi have been made public. His lawyer has so far been denied access both to Parsa Najafi and to the case file, and has also been prevented from contacting the responsible Iranian authorities. Najafi turned 20 while in detention.

The ISHR is concerned by reports that he has been subjected to intense pressure to make a false confession to espionage and cooperation with Israel. Proceedings on such charges could result in a death sentence. In addition, after his parents were initially permitted to visit him, further contact with their son was subsequently denied, increasing the pressure on the young detainee. The ISHR is calling for the immediate release of the prisoner of conscience.