“47 Baha’is Currently In Prison”

Following the sentencing of seven Baha’i leaders in Iran, Diane Ala’i, the representative of the Baha’i International Community told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that currently 47 members of the Baha’i Faith are inside Iranian prisons. According to Ala’i, the Baha’is are not facing moharebeh (enmity with God) charges. Their charges are “acting against national security,” “participating in illegal groups,” and “propagating the Baha’i Faith.”

Fear of Imminent Executions of Baha’is

(7 January 2010) Iranian authorities have added new charges against 7 Baha’i leaders detained since 2008, under which they could be executed if convicted, and have arrested at least 12 more members of the religious minority, while desensitizing the Iranian population with propaganda campaigns against the Baha’is, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today. In news reports broadcast nationally, commentators have claimed that recent Ashura demonstrations were masterminded by Baha’is, although no evidence has been produced to support the accusations.

“Iran and the world are again confronted by the specter of Bahai’s being executed, this time on charges trumped up in the context of current widespread political unrest,” said Aaron Rhodes, a spokesperson for the Campaign.