After announcement of sentence of 20 years imprisonment each: Transfer of the seven Baha’i leaders to Raja’i prison in Karaj (Gohardasht)
Committee of Human Rights Reporters – Yesterday afternoon, after the announcement of a sentence of 20 years imprisonment for each of them, the seven former leaders of the Baha’i community of Iran were transferred to Raja’i prison in the city of Karaj (Gohardasht) [see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gohardasht_Prison].
The individuals are Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr.Vahid Tizfahm. There has not been any report about a transfer for Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi or Mrs. Mahvash Sabet; however, it appears that all seven have been transferred to this prison.
After spending more than two years in temporary detention, yesterday the seven former leaders of the Baha’i community, who were known as “friends of Iran” [Yaran], were sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment. Six of the seven Baha’is have been in custody since May 14th 2008, when they were arrested in a raid of police forces on their homes; the seventh, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, was arrested on March 5th 2008 in Mashhad.
It should be mentioned that Raja’i prison in Mashhad has frequently been criticized by human rights advocates for its unsanitary environment, lack of medical services, crowded prison cells and unfair treatment of inmates by guards. Before this but after the recent execution of five political prisoners in Iran, some political prisoners and journalists — such as Ahmad Zeyd Abadi, Esa Saharkhiz, Masood Bastani and Heshmat-Allah Tabarzadi — were also transferred from Evin prison to Raja’i prison in Karaj.
Translation by Iran Press Watch
Source: http://www.chrr.biz/spip.php?article10596, also see: http://www.iranpresswatch.org/fa/post/1042
August 10, 2010 8:42 am
Our prayers are always with these remarkable exponents of the people of Iran. It is a phenomena of history that the government of Iran should have placed greater emphasis on the secret but systematic suppression of this community than on its own survival as a state.
August 10, 2010 1:35 pm
This saddens my heart so greatly. These model Baha’i’s these pillars of light, immense in their beauty. Their lives are blessed; God gives us trials to strengthen us this we know; it is those chosen few who guide us in our paths; I am grateful for them.
August 10, 2010 2:05 pm
A small correction: Reja’i Prison is in Karaj (Gawhar-dasht district) and not Mashhad.
August 10, 2010 4:52 pm
It is important to remember once again that a mere lip denial of being a Baha’i would suffice for the liberation of these non violent heroes and the abandon of all charges, including that of espionage. It would be sufficient for Baha’i students to conceal their faith to be admitted into universities.
The Baha’is in Iran who openly claim their faith and peace-loving and reconciling opinions, many of them from non Muslim backgrounds and not concerned by charges of apostasy, are stoically standing up to ideas that differ from those of the regime.
This obstination is the worst menace to any totalitarian regime that fears a general contamination by an ideological uprising more than anything else.
August 10, 2010 7:12 pm
Coming out of the storm, there are ominous and dark clouds on the horizon.
Thunder crashes with the injustice of these decisions against the valiant and the peace-loving. Lightning flashes and illuminates the frightening depths to which these oppressors will go. But that same stark light reveals the rare and brilliant, gem-like nobility of these Seven, heroes to all who live beyond the sight of them but who know what is going on.
August 11, 2010 3:05 pm
Some people prefer to live in ‘darkness’ and become stunted in their spiritual development, whilst others look towards the light and grow and blossom to the delight of the world!
August 12, 2010 10:12 pm
Let’s ponder on these words:
“O Son of Man!
Ponder and reflect. Is it thy wish to die upon thy bed, or to shed thy life-blood on the dust, a martyr in My path, and so become the manifestation of My command and the revealer of My light in the highest paradise? Judge thou aright, O servant! If adversity befall thee not in My path, how canst thou walk in the ways of them that are content with My pleasure? If trials afflict thee not in thy longing to meet Me, how wilt thou attain the light in thy love for My beauty? Seek a martyr’s death in My path, content with My pleasure and thankful for that which I ordain, that thou mayest repose with Me beneath the canopy of majesty behind the tabernacle of glory. Magnify My cause that I may reveal unto thee the mysteries of My greatness and shine upon thee with the light of eternity. Humble thyself before Me, that I may graciously visit thee. Arise for the triumph of My cause, that while yet on earth thou mayest obtain the victory. My calamity
August 13, 2010 1:16 pm
“People for the most part delight in superstitions. They regard a single drop of the sea of delusion as preferable to an ocean of certitude. By holding fast unto names they deprive themselves of the inner reality and by clinging to vain imaginings they are kept back from the Dayspring of heavenly signs. God grant you may be graciously aided under all conditions to shatter the idols of superstition and to tear away the veils of the imaginations of men. Authority lieth in the grasp of God, the Fountainhead of revelation and inspiration and the Lord of the Day of Resurrection.” Baha’u’llah, Words of Paradise ¶3