Roya Sabet

A Baha'i citizen imprisoned in Adel Abad Prison in Shiraz has been denied access to specialised medical services, forensic medical examination, and medical leave, despite suffering severe injuries in prison over a month ago and experiencing a significant drop in blood oxygen levels.

Prison authorities at Adel Abad and judicial bodies in Shiraz have prevented the transfer of this prisoner of conscience to external medical facilities, despite repeated written requests from the prisoner and persistent follow-ups by her family.

Roya Sabat's request for leave to be with her ill mother, Nosrat Momtaz, in the hospital was denied on 5 October 2026. According to sources, her mother passed away on 6 October 2026. Despite submitting another request for leave to attend her mother's funeral, the prosecutor's office and judicial authorities also rejected this humanitarian request.

Previously, Roya Sabat's father passed away in November of the previous year while she was imprisoned. Her mother suffered a stroke after her husband's death and was hospitalised.

During her imprisonment, Roya Sabat sustained severe injuries to her back and neck, requiring urgent specialised treatment outside the prison. However, all her requests for medical leave have been denied by the authorities.

Roya Sabat, a Baha'i citizen, married, and mother of two, residing in the United Arab Emirates, travelled to Shiraz in January 2024 to care for her elderly and ill parents. However, she was arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in February of the same year.

She was later sentenced by the Shiraz Revolutionary Court to a total of 25 years in prison on charges such as "membership in groups and organisations opposing the regime (Baha'ism)" and "propaganda against the regime," with 10 years of the sentence being enforceable as the most severe punishment.

Roya Sabat was arrested on 25 October 2025 to serve this sentence and was transferred to Adel Abad Prison in Shiraz, where she has been held since. According to informed sources, on 1 July 2026, she fell in the prison's restroom, resulting in serious injuries to her back and neck. Despite submitting three written requests for a forensic medical examination and medical leave, the authorities have not approved her requests.

Additionally, on Friday, 7 August 2026, she experienced severe headaches and dizziness, with her blood oxygen level dropping to 70%. However, instead of providing emergency care, prison authorities only recommended "breathing in open air."

Amid ongoing medical deprivation, reports indicate that security agencies are attempting to file a new case against this Baha'i citizen inside the prison on charges of "promoting Baha'ism."