The following report was posted on the online site of Human Rights Activists News Agency, and appears below in translation:
Security forces have raided and searched the home of a Baha’i resident of Sari, and subsequently arrested her.
On the morning of August 18, seven (7) security agents stationed in Sari raided the home of Mrs. Didar Hashemi (24 yrs old), while her husband was not home. They showed her a court order for her arrest dated August 3. Afterwards, agents forced their way inside the house, and while being very disrespectful towards Mrs. Hashemi, begun to search the residence and confiscate various religious books and pictures. Afterwards, they arrested Mrs. Hashemi.
It should be noted that while the security agents were conducting this raid, one non-Baha’i neighbor was observing this entire occurrence. On noting the illegal nature of the search and the conduct of the agents, the neighbor entered the house and demanded that the agents leave the building and end their illegal activities. However, this neighbor was confronted with a strong reaction from the agents and in less than an hour, the agents brought a new search warrant to investigate the residence of this neighbor and also produced a new warrant for Mrs. Hashemi’s arrest, which showed a new date.
After Mrs. Hashemi was arrested she was conveyed to an unknown location.
[Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2009, at hra-news. Translation by Iran Press Watch.]
August 21, 2009 3:03 pm
What is gratifying here is the number of Iranians now willing to stand up and protest this kind of oppression.
August 28, 2009 8:32 pm
I feel so sad for the persecution of the Baha’is in Iran by the Iranian authorities. I have read, Baha’i Books and met with many Baha’is from Iran, they are really purehearted people, free from politics. Why to punish these souls like this. I don’t think this kind of persecution is acceptable before God. I ask the authorities to release these soul and work for the development of Iran and world at large.
I am very happy for the Iran Press watch to let the World know the oppression the Iranian Baha’is are facing. Your service is really commendable. Keep it Up.