San Diego Baha'i Website

Events

SPECIAL EVENTS

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Sunday Morning Gatherings

Sunday, March 14, 2010

9:30 am - Devotional

10:30 Information Meeting

Topic: “The New Golden Age”, also

Share in a discussion of the Baha’i Faith

Call Martha Hiett for more information 619-697-2636

Come- bring your friends and share in an inspirational morning!

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Ongoing trial of seven Iranian Bahá’í leaders threatened by state-sponsored anti-Bahá’í media campaign

A recent state-sponsored media campaign falsely accusing Bahá’ís in Iran of inciting the latest wave of protests in that country has raised grave concern about the fate of seven Bahá’í leaders were returned to court on Sunday, February 7. “Over the past few weeks, Iranian state-sponsored media have accused the Bahá’ís of being responsible for the unrest surrounding the holy day of Ashura,” said Diane Alá’í, the Bahá’í International Community representative to the United Nations in Geneva. “This is clearly aimed at rousing public sentiment against the seven Bahá’ís being held in Evin prison. We are particularly concerned that the government, or ultraconservative elements within it, may use the turmoil in Iran as cover for extreme measures against these wrongly imprisoned individuals.”

This concern deepened on Sunday, January 3, when authorities rounded up 13 Bahá’ís from their homes in Tehran, including relatives of two of the imprisoned leaders, took them to a detention center, and tried to get them to sign a document saying that they would not engage in any future demonstrations. Ten of the 13 Bahá’ís remain in prison, making a total of 48 Bahá’ís in prison across Iran.

“Putting two and two together, the situation facing these Bahá’í leaders is extremely ominous. We are deeply concerned for their safety,” Ms. Alá’í said.

The seven — Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr. Vahid Tizfahm — were arrested in the spring of 2008 and have since been held in Evin prison without formal charges. Trial dates were previously announced for July, August, and October of 2009, with a court appearance finally occuring in January. At that time charges were read, in a closed court. They were then led back to prison to await sentencing at the next scheduled date which appeared to be February 7 at that time. At the hearing on February 7 the same procedure was followed. After they were asked to enter their plea their attorney entered the plea of “not guilty” and the prisoners were returned to their cells. At this time information is that the trial will continue on April 11.

Official Iranian news accounts have said the seven are to be accused of “espionage for Israel, insulting religious sanctities, and propaganda against the Islamic republic.” The Bahá’í International Community categorically denies all the charges and is concerned that the latest media campaign may result in more baseless charges being brought against the seven Bahá’í leaders.

“We ask that the international community indicate clearly to Iran that it will be watching and that it expects any trial to be public and held in accordance with internationally recognized principles of due process,” Ms. Alá’í said.