Mona Mahmudnizhad and the 1983 Execution of Baháʼí Women in Iran
The persecution of the Baháʼí community in Iran has a long history, but the intensity of these actions escalated significantly following the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Among the most harrowing accounts of this era is the arrest and execution of Mona Mahmudnizhad and nine other Baháʼí women in the city of Shiraz.
The Arrest and Detention of Mona Mahmudnizhad
The events leading to the tragedy began on the evening of October 23, 1982. At 7:30 pm, four armed Revolutionary Guards acted on orders from the public prosecutor of Shiraz, raiding the Mahmudnizhad residence. The guards ransacked the home in search of Baháʼí materials—literature or items associated with the Baháʼí Faith—before taking Mona and her father into custody.
Both were blindfolded and transported to Seppah prison in Shiraz. While they were held in separate quarters, Mona's father remained detained there for 38 days. On November 29, 1982, Mona and five other Baháʼí women were transferred from Seppah to Adel Abad Prison, also located in Shiraz.
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Interrogation and Sentencing
Following her transfer, Mona was brought before the Islamic Revolutionary Court. She underwent a series of interrogations, returning to prison between sessions. During these proceedings, she was subjected to physical torture, specifically being whipped on the soles of her feet with a cable.
Despite the lack of evidence, Mahmudnizhad was found guilty on manufactured charges. The court sentenced her to death by hanging.
The Execution of the Ten Women
The international community did not remain silent. Then-President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, called for clemency for the prisoners. However, these appeals were ignored. On the night of June 18, 1983, the death sentences for Mona and nine other women were carried out at a nearby polo field.
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Key Facts
- Date of Arrest: October 23, 1982.
- Location: Shiraz, Iran.
- Detention Centers: Seppah prison and Adel Abad Prison.
- Method of Torture: Whipping on the soles of the feet with a cable.
- Execution Date: June 18, 1983.
- Total Victims: 10 Baháʼí women.
- International Response: US President Ronald Reagan requested clemency.
Summary of the Executed Women
The following table lists the women who were executed alongside Mona Mahmudnizhad on June 18, 1983.
| Name | Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mona Mahmudnizhad | Not specified | - |
| Nusrat Yalda'i | 54 | - |
| 'Izzat Janami Ishraqi | 50 | Mother of Roya Ishraqi |
| Roya Ishraqi | 23 | Daughter of 'Izzat |
| Tahereh Arjomandi Siyavashi | 30 | - |
| Zarrin Muqimi | 28 | - |
| Shirin Dalvand | 25 | - |
| Akhtar Sabet | 25 | - |
| Simin Saberi | 24 | - |
| Mahshid Nirumand | 28 | - |
The details of this case were later brought to wider attention in September 2007, when the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center published a comprehensive case study on the subject.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were Mona Mahmudnizhad and the other women arrested?
They were arrested as part of the increased persecution of Baháʼís following the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Specifically, guards raided the Mahmudnizhad home searching for Baháʼí materials.
What happened during the interrogations?
The interrogations involved physical torture, including being whipped on the soles of the feet with a cable, and resulted in convictions based on manufactured charges.
Did any foreign governments attempt to intervene?
Yes, United States President Ronald Reagan called for clemency for the women, though his request was not granted.
Where were the executions carried out?
The ten women were hanged on the night of June 18, 1983, at a polo field near the prison in Shiraz.
How is this event documented today?
The events are documented in a case study published by the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center in September 2007.