Baha’i Couple on Trial

The following report was filed by the online site of Human Rights Activists News Agency on Thursday, September 3, 2009:

A Baha’i couple was tried after a year on the charge of promotion of their religion.

On July 29, 2008, security agents went to the home of Fayzu’llah Qanvatian in the town of Ahwaz and after a research of the residence and confiscation of his books and personal items charged this family with “promotion of the Baha’i Faith” and “propaganda against the regime”. 

At the same time and while still at their home, security agents compelled Mr. Qanvatian and his wife, Mrs. Nushin Ruhani, to answer a series of written questions.  They were then escorted to the interrogation office, where bail and surety was arranged for them and they were freed that day pending their trial.

During this past year, the couple have been summoned several more time and interrogated by officers of the Ministry of Intelligence.

The case of this couple was sent to the public prosecutor of the city of Ahwaz.  During the court session, the prosecutor asked for maximum penalty under the law.  The court then decided to pass the case to the city’s Revolutionary Court for adjudication.

On August 31, the said court met and reviewed the case.  It then announced that in days ahead it would rule on the merits of the charges and the case before it.

[Posted on Thursday, September 3, 2009, at hra-news.  Translation by Iran Press Watch.]