Peyvand Naimi, a Baha'i, has been held for more than six months in Kerman Central Prison after his arrest on Jan. 8 by Iran’s intelligence ministry, his family reported. He faces accusations of killing state security agents during protests, though no formal charges or evidence have been presented, the family said. Amnesty International noted that the alleged killings occurred after his arrest and that the government has not disclosed details. The family said Naimi was held in solitary confinement for two months, denied food for ten days, and later transferred to a shared cell. A judge ordered his release on March 7, but he remained detained, the family added. In late March, his parents reported that he described harsh treatment, including denial of food. Since January, human rights groups say dozens of Baha'is have been imprisoned for their faith. Raids on Baha'i homes have resulted in the desecration of holy books and religious symbols, which the groups say indicate sectarian motives. Detainees have reported electric shocks, mock hangings, and forced confessions, according to the groups. The crackdown is part of a broader repression following the start of the war between the United States and Israel in late February, the Baha’i International Community reported. State media have portrayed Baha'is as spies and blamed them for economic problems, the groups added. An exhibition in Mazandaran labeled Baha'is as enemies of the state, and a representative of the supreme leader called them spies, according to Tasnim. Human rights officials and the Iranian Foreign Ministry did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Simin Fahandej, representing the Baha’i community at the United Nations, said the pattern of blaming the community during crises is recurring. Omid Ghaemmaghami, a professor at Binghamton University, said the scapegoating serves to instill fear and obedience among the population. The Baha'i faith, founded in the 1860s, has about 300,000 adherents in Iran, representing less than 1% of the population. After the 1979 revolution, many fled, while others remained, the groups said. The full extent of the detentions and the government’s response remain unclear.