7 February 2010
(BWNS) GENEVA — Seven imprisoned Baha’i leaders appeared in court today in Iran for a second session of their trial.
The session was once again closed, and family members were not permitted in the courtroom, the Baha’i International Community has learned.
The hearing, which lasted just over one hour, does not seem to have gone beyond procedural issues. No date was given for any future sessions.
The seven were arrested nearly two years ago and have been held in Tehran’s Evin prison since that time, spending the first year there without formal charges or access to lawyers.
After several postponements, their trial officially began on 12 January, when the seven were arraigned in Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran.
That session was also closed to the public, but accounts in government-sponsored news media said the defendants were formally charged with espionage, propaganda activities against the Islamic order, the establishment of an illegal administration, cooperation with Israel, sending secret documents outside the country, acting against the security of the country, and corruption on earth.
All the charges have been categorically denied. The defendants are Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr. Vahid Tizfahm.
Source: BWNS, English, Persian.
February 8, 2010 12:10 am
Young Iranians ( non bahai’i) are dying all over IRAN every day,
This so called faith think of themself as bahai (here to save others, no mercy to non bahai’i ), we think ourself as human beings. 7 bahai’i at least are alive.
By some accounts of her life, Neda was not deeply involved in politics. At the time of her death, she was with her singing instructor. The two of them had ventured out to witness the protests, but after being caught in a clash with club-wielding forces, they chose to head home. When they stepped out of a car, the fatal shot was fired.
February 8, 2010 1:25 pm
It is not a question of Baha’i or not, Moslem or not, atheist or not. All who are innocent, like Neda or the 7 Baha’is, deserve what you stand for, Justice.
February 8, 2010 1:39 pm
Thank you, Tom. I could’nt be more agree.
February 9, 2010 5:27 am
Baha’is throughout the world are sympathizing with all the Iranians. The violations of basic human rights, has brought all the peace loving , and freedom fighting Iranians together. All Iranians are working on this together. That is the beauty of it.Let us not forget that the Iranians have been experiencing these violations more so, in the past 30 years, however the Iranian Baha’is have been violated for more than 160 years, under all the regimes. The trial of these seven individuals has historical significance, as it pertains to a fundamental human rights issue, freedom of religion, which the Baha’is have been working towards since the Qajar dynasty and has been documented in Iranian history.Unless and until freedom of thought and religion is granted all, no government will survive in Iran. Let us not forget , Qurat-ul-ain, a follower of the prophet of Baha’is, who was the first woman documented in Iranian history, to start the women’s rights movement and lost her life.
February 9, 2010 5:44 am
For Perspective, a quote from this website: “As part of its continuing service, Iran Press Watch is instituting a series of editorials which comment on conditions in Iran as well as potential pathways to solutions which could be explored through the Baha’i writings and related materials. The Baha’is of Iran are eager to contribute actively to the social and economic improvement of that country and have had a long and cherished record of doing so through the formation of many schools, moral training classes, building of hospitals… Although Iran Press Watch was founded in order to provide independent and academic information on the persecution of Baha’is in Iran, we also look forward to a time when Iranians of all religious, ethnic and tribal communities can work together for the betterment of their homeland. “