According to a report on the Persian section of Baha’i World News Service dated April 8, 2009 (http://news.persian-bahai.org/2009040802), the seven imprisoned Baha’i leaders (formerly known as the Yaran [Friends in Iran]) have been allowed to meet with their families on two occasions in recent days.
The first meeting took place on March 30 and was in person. It is customary in Iran to allow prisoners to meet with their families during the two-week Naw-Ruz festivities.
A second visit with their families was also granted to all the seven incarcerated Baha’i leaders on April 6, but this time the families were allowed to meet with their loved-ones from behind glass windows.
On related news, Iran Press Watch has learned through reliable sources in Iran that while the authorities have given no new date for the trial of the Yaran and have backpedaled from earlier dates announced for this trial, a high-ranking official in the Prosecutor-General’s office has advised that the files against the seven Baha’i leaders will be completed by Urdibehest – the second Iranian month commencing on April 21.
Also it has been learned that Mrs. Shirin Ebadi, the internationally famed lawyer who some months ago accepted to represent the imprisoned Baha’is, continues to have no access to the legal case, or her incarcerated clients. It is not at all clear how this trial can take place when the lawyer has no preparation for the trial.
April 11, 2009 8:10 pm
It is so sad to learn that our Bahai brothers and sisters inside the cradle of the faith are suffering such an atrocious persecution .I hope our prayers will strengthen them to bear the terrible moments they are going through.
Ya Baha ul Abha help them to be steadfast and help the people in power to understand that Baha is are not their enemies!
April 11, 2009 8:56 pm
It is not these seven who are on trial in Iran. On the contrary, it is the entire theocratic regime in Iran that has put itself on trial by imprisoning these seven Baha’is.
Only one verdict will reflect well on the Islamic Republic and its rulers. And that is total emancipation of Iran’s Baha’i community and a just apology for their 160 years of wrongful persecution.