Mahnoush Mokhtari

Reports indicate that a taekwondo coach in Birjand has been prohibited from continuing their sports activities due to their adherence to the Bahá'í faith. The coach, who has experience with the South Khorasan province's youth taekwondo team and participation in national competitions, holds official coaching and refereeing credentials from the national taekwondo federation. They previously served as the provincial team coach and were responsible for organising athlete participation in national competitions.

It has been reported that on 3 October 2023, officers from the Birjand Intelligence Department searched the coach's home and confiscated some personal belongings. Subsequently, the coach was summoned to the Intelligence Department for questioning.

A week after this incident, the head of the taekwondo association was informed that the coach, by order of the Birjand Intelligence Department, is no longer permitted to work as a coach or referee in any club within the province. The reason cited for this prohibition was the promotion of religion within the club environment.

The coach has approached relevant authorities, denying the allegations and emphasising that their activities over the past 20 years have been solely sports-related. Additionally, officials from the taekwondo association and the club's head contacted the security management of the sports department to request a reconsideration of the issued directive, but these requests were denied.