February 12, 2009

GENEVA – Reports that seven imprisoned Baha'is have been accused of espionage and other crimes and that their case will be referred to the Revolutionary Court next week are deeply concerning, potentially marking a new and dangerous stage in Iran's persecution of Baha'is, said the Baha'i International Community today.

"The accusations are false, and the government knows this," said Diane Ala'i, the Baha'i International Community representative to the United Nations in Geneva. "The seven Baha'is detained in Tehran should be immediately released."

Word of a possible trial against imprisoned Baha'is came yesterday in an Iranian ISNA news agency report quoting Tehran's deputy public prosecutor, Hassan Haddad. According to the report, a case will be sent to the revolutionary courts next week accusing the seven Baha'is of "espionage for Israel, insulting religious sanctities and propaganda against the Islamic republic."

It is presumed that the seven referred to by Mr. Haddad are the group of Baha'i leaders from Tehran who were arrested last year in raids reminiscent of sweeps nearly 30 years ago at the start of the Islamic revolution. Those sweeps led to the execution of dozens of Baha'i leaders at the time.

To read profiles of the seven members of the Baha'i committee who are in prison, go to: http://news.bahai.org/story/695/.

Baha'i World News Service