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01-12-2010, 07:54 PM
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| Member  |  Seven members of the Bahai faith have been put on trial in Iran Iran Bahais begin spying trials Seven members of the Bahai faith have been put on trial in Iran. The defendants face charges of spying for foreigners, cooperating with Israel and "corruption on Earth", a charged which carries the death sentence. The Bahai religion is banned by the Islamic revolutionary leadership of Iran which considers it heretical. The group have been held since their arrest in 2008. The US government has condemned the trial, expressing concern about Iran's treatment of Bahais. "The United States strongly condemns the Iranian government's decision to commence the espionage trial against seven leaders of the Iranian Bahai community," said US State Department spokesman PJ Crowley. "We are deeply concerned about Iran's ongoing persecution of Bahais and treatment of other members of religious minorities who continue to be targeted solely on the basis of their beliefs," Mr Crowley added. Iran origin The group are being tried in a revolutionary court in Tehran. "All the activities of the outlawed Bahai's sect in Iran is being led by its global centre based in Israel," a statement from the trial, cited by state news agency ISNA said. "Based on the evidence and the defendants' confessions, they held meetings with ambassadors of different Western countries and discussed information and actions with them," it added. The Bahai faith was founded in Iran in the 19th Century but it has long been banned in its country of origin. The Bahais consider Bahaullah, born in 1817, to be the latest prophet sent by God. Followers of the Bahai faith have faced discrimination in Iran both before and after the 1979 Islamic revolution. Bahai groups say some 30,000 members remain in Iran. Hundreds of followers have been jailed and executed since 1979, the Bahai International Community says. Iran denies it has detained or executed people because of their faith. The religion has a large temple in Haifa, northern Israel, a country which has very fraught relations with Iran. Source: BBC Last edited by beansbaxter; 01-12-2010 at 08:10 PM. |
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01-13-2010, 08:29 AM
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| Senior Member  Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 650 From: California |
Thanks for your post Beanbaxter! I'm sure you've read this already but here's a summary of global reactions: World reacts to the trial of the seven Baha'i leaders GENEVA, 13 January (BWNS) – Iran's decision to begin the trial yesterday of seven Baha'i leaders has triggered a strong international reaction, including a call by Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi for their immediate release and ultimate acquittal. "If justice is to be carried out and an impartial judge should investigate the charges leveled against my clients, no other verdict can be reached save that of acquittal," said Mrs. Ebadi, in comments posted on WashingtonTV, a Web-based news service in the United States. Mrs. Ebadi, who is one of the lawyers for the seven, said she had carefully read the dossier of charges against them and "found in it no cause or evidence to sustain the criminal charges upheld by the prosecutor." Others also expressed concerns about the fairness of the trial, calling for it to be open and held in accordance with international legal standards. Governments and prominent individuals in the European Union, the United States, Brazil, India, and Canada issued strong statements of concern. The European Union statement came yesterday, echoing an earlier call for international observers to be allowed in the trial of the seven Baha'is. "The EU recalls that freedom of thought, conscience and religion is a fundamental and undeniable right which shall be guaranteed in every circumstance," the statement said. "The EU calls for a just, fair and open trial respecting all international standards and obligations. ..." In Brazil yesterday, Luiz Couto, the president of the Human Rights Commission of the Federal Chamber of Deputies, said in a letter to the Iranian ambassador to Brazil that it appears the "trial is not transparent and public," and that any closed trial would violate the right to a full and fair defense. "We consider the freedom of religion and belief – that of Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Baha'is, and all other religious expressions – a fundamental human right for democracy, both in the east and west," said Congressman Couto. On Monday, the United States Department of State condemned Iran's decision to move ahead with the trial. "Authorities have detained these persons for more than 20 months, without making public any evidence against them and giving them little access to legal counsel," said Philip J. Crowley, assistant secretary, Bureau of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State. "These persons are entitled to due process." In India, prominent Indians called upon the government to take up the issue of the Baha'i persecution with Tehran. "Our country has a long record of pluralism and tolerance and must speak out," said Maja Daruwala, director of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, according to The Hindu newspaper on Saturday. In Canada, Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon issued a statement on Friday expressing deep concern about the ongoing detention of the seven Baha'i leaders. "It is deplorable that these individuals were detained on the sole basis of their faith and have been denied a fair trial," said Mr. Cannon. Leading human rights barrister Cherie Blair in an interview today with the BBC World Service called for the release of "this group of people who live a religion which preaches peace and did nothing whatsoever to deserve this trial." In the WashingtonTV interview, Mrs. Ebadi, who is currently outside Iran, also offered a glimpse of what happened yesterday inside Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court, where the "first session" of the trial was held. She said only two lawyers of the Defenders of Human Rights Center, which she established, were able to be present in the court. And that in spite of a request for an open hearing, the court was closed. The charges against the seven were reiterated yesterday in news accounts in government-sponsored news media. They were given as: espionage, "propaganda activities against the Islamic order," the establishment of an illegal administration, cooperation with Israel, the sending of secret documents outside the country, acting against the security of the country, and "corruption on earth." Diane Ala'i of the Baha'i International Community said the seven have consistently and categorically denied such accusations. "We can be certain that they also did so in front of the judge yesterday," she said. The seven are Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr. Vahid Tizfahm. All but one of the group were arrested on 14 May 2008 at their homes in Tehran. Mrs. Sabet was arrested on 5 March 2008 while in Mashhad. They have been held in Tehran's Evin prison ever since, spending their first year there without formal charges or any access to lawyers. Prior to their arrest, the seven served as an appointed, ad hoc group known as the "Friends." Their role, carried out with the government's knowledge, was to see to the minimum spiritual and material needs of Iran's Baha'i community, which has been without formal leadership since its elected governing bodies were disbanded in response to a government decree in 1983. For the Baha’i World News Service home page, go to: Bahá'í World News Service - Bahá'í International Community |
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01-15-2010, 07:09 AM
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| Senior Member Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 650 From: California | A personal update on the trial:
This is via some relatives of one of the "Yaran": Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2010, 2:09 PM Dear friends, Azadeh talked this afternoon with her sister, Shaheen, whose husband is Saeid Rezaie, one of the seven Yaran in prison and now undergoing trial. Needless to say, this has been a nerve-wracking process for Shaheen, her three children, and all the other family members of the Yaran. They were upset yesterday (Tuesday) and complained when the court didn’t follow through on its promise to give them a visit with their loved ones right after the trial. They did, however, get face-to-face visits today (Wednesday), that is, the Yaran with their immediate families. During that visit, Saeid told them that the energy that he and his colleagues felt yesterday in the courtroom was amazing. He said he knew that it was because of the many prayers being said by people around the world, and he asked his wife to share that they (the Yaran) were grateful and to thank the Baha’is and others around the world who prayed for them. He said they were praying for us as well. The family had a good half-hour or so together. They were able to hold each other and share memories. Every other minute, Saeid would move around and hug and kiss another of his children or Shaheen, telling them how much he loved them. He told them that he knew they were thinking about many possible outcomes, but that he and the others were content with God’s will and did not want anything for themselves but that. He told them, “If we don’t see each other again in this world, we will see each other in the next world.” At the end of their time, they parted ways, more content than before. Today was Saeid and Shaheen’s 28th wedding anniversary. The families were also able to meet with the lawyers, who told them that about yesterday’s trial. They talked about the charges and said that sentences have not been handed down, but they expect the court to do so the next time it convenes on the subject. Warmest regards and thanks, Mark & Azadeh |
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01-20-2010, 07:22 AM
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| Senior Member Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 650 From: California | Next Court Session February 7th
Date set for seven Baha'i leaders' next court session GENEVA – Iranian authorities have notified the lawyers of seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders that the next session of their trial will be held on 7 February, the Baha'i International Community learned today. At their first court appearance, held 12 January in Tehran, the charges were read to the seven, who categorically denied the accusations. "While we know little about what actually took place inside the court, we can now say for certain that these seven innocent Baha'is stood up and firmly rejected all of the charges against them," said Diane Ala'i of the Baha'i International Community. "We can also say that, based on the international outcry that accompanied the first session of their trial, the world is watching this proceeding closely and that the Iranian government will be held accountable for any injustices," she said. The charges against the seven, according to accounts in government-sponsored news media, were: 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." The seven defendants are Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr. Vahid Tizfahm. All but one of the group were arrested on 14 May 2008 at their homes in Tehran. Mrs. Sabet was arrested on 5 March 2008 while in Mashhad. They have been held in Tehran's Evin prison ever since, spending their first year there without formal charges or any access to lawyers. For the Baha’i World News Service home page, go to: Bahá'í World News Service - Bahá'í International Community |
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01-21-2010, 09:00 PM
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| Senior Member Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 650 From: California | |
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02-05-2010, 10:19 AM
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| Junior Member Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 5 From: Austin, TX |
This is what we're doing, I hope everyone can see it: Login | Facebook If not these are the details: __________________________________________________ ______ The second scheduled session of the trial of seven imprisoned Bahá'í leaders in Iran is set for February 7th. After nearly two years of confinement, these seven innocent human beings were only formally arraigned on Jan 12, at which time they were charged unjustly on numerous counts and are now facing possibly extreme consequences, including the death penalty. A special devotional gathering will be held at the Austin Bahá'í Center on Sunday, February 7, 1:00 PM, to offer fervent prayers for and to call mass attention to the grave situation facing these leaders. We are seeking support from anyone who can shine a spotlight on this unjust trial in the Austin area, from editors to radio show hosts to clergymen. Please tell everyone you can about this event to create as large a turnout as possible. We have many resources available to you for spreading the word. Please note that you can download all of these resources to your computer; simply right-click the link and click “Save Target As” or “Save Link As”. These resources include: Press kit (6-page .pdf – may take several minutes to load, please be patient): http://brli.squarespace.com/storage/...ssINFO6pgs.pdf 1-page flyer (“e-blast”; .jpg): http://brli.squarespace.com/storage/.../Neweblast.jpg .pdf version of the above e-blast: http://brli.squarespace.com/storage/...tionEblast.pdf Press release (Microsoft Word file; contains links to articles on the situation of the Bahá'í leaders): http://brli.squarespace.com/storage/...aseFeb2010.doc |
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02-07-2010, 07:40 AM
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| Senior Member Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 650 From: California | "Trial" ambiguous.. Baha'is continue imprisoned...
The second "trial" of the seven Baha'is called the "Yaran" or friends occurred today and the results so far apppear ambiguous.. It was again a closed hearing.. No relatives were allowed to see their family members or admitted to the court room. The Baha'is are still imprisoned but for how long no body knows.. Also the charges are heavy ones in Iran which could carry execution. The "Yaran" was an appointive body set up to deal with the affairs of the 300,000 Baha'i minority in Iran .. as the Baha'is are not allowed to have normal elective Baha'i Institutions..such as Local Spiirtual Assemblies or a National Spiritual Assembly. At first the government approved of the arrangement as a convenience to them but later they imprisoned the seven Baha'is without trial for the twenty months in the Evin Prison in Teheran.. http://blog.amnestyusa.org/wp-conten...09/07/evin.jpg http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/image...9852007_evin_p... Here is the story: Baha'i leaders make second court appearance GENEVA, 7 February (BWNS) – 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. For the Baha’i World News Service home page, go to: Bahá'í World News Service - Bahá'í International Community |
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