International organizations and agencies are worried concerning the likely upcoming trial of the seven leading figures of the Baha’i community of Iran who have been accused of espionage. These Baha’is have been accused by the judiciary authorities in Iran of spying for Israel.
In the latest protest against a trial of these individuals, Amnesty International suggested in a statement that emergency action showing support and defense of these individuals was warranted and has demanded their immediate and unconditional release.
In addition, in a letter the International Committee for Religious Liberty in the United States has described these actions of Islamic Republic of Iran as quite despairing. This Committee has stated that Iranian officials are still causing harm and injuries in whatever manner possible, regardless of how unwarranted, upon those whose beliefs are incompatible with their own.
In addition, Freedom House, headquartered in New York, has issued a statement in reaction to the accusations, demanding urgent release of the seven imprisoned Baha’is.
These protests are being put forward at a time when officials of the Islamic Republic in Iran have announced that no one has been detained for religious beliefs. The Iranian authorities have also stated that the seven arrested Baha’is have confessed they were “spying for Israel.”
As previously reported, records of these individuals will be submitted to the Revolutionary Court during the current week.
In addition, Ghorban-Ali Najafabadi, Iran’s Prosecutor General, yesterday asked the Ministry of Intelligence in a letter to confront any kind of activities of the Baha’i administration.
At the same time, reports received by us from reliable sources speak of the preparation of a resolution to be submitted to the United States Congress regarding violations of human rights in Iran, demanding the release of the seven imprisoned Baha’i leaders. In this document, President Barack Obama is requested to condemn human rights violations in Iran.
Presently there are about 30 Baha’i prisoners of conscience [in Iran] on a variety of accusations.
[Published by Radio Zamaaneh on Monday, 16 February 2009 at: http://zamaaneh.com/news/2009/02/post_8017.html. Translation by Iran Press Watch.]
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