Bahá’í s appreciate international support

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Reports that seven Iranian Bahá’í leaders have each received prison sentences of 20 years have been met with condemnation from governments and human rights organisations around the world, with Australia, France, Germany, Canada and the President of the European Parliament expressing strong statements of concern.

Shohreh Fleming, a Bahá’í who was born in Iran but now lives in West Berkshire, said: “They are calling for the prisoners to be released on bail, for an annulment of the judgement, and for Iran to demonstrate that the trial was fair and in accordance with international standards.

“The Bahá’í International Community deeply appreciates the committed support offered so far by governments and human rights organisations.

“These statements demonstrate that increasing numbers of people of all races and religions throughout the world want to see justice done in Iran – not just for the Bahá’ís but all of its citizens who face gross human rights violations.”

Iranian Bahá’í leaders’ prison sentences are “deeply shocking”

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West Berkshire Bahá’ís have joined members of the Bahá’í International Community in expressing concern at reports that seven Iranian Bahá’í leaders have each received jail sentences of 20 years.

The leaders – two women and five men – have been held in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison since their arrest in 2008. They were all members of a national-level group that used to attend to the spiritual and social needs of Bahá’ís in Iran.

They categorically deny charges of espionage, propaganda activities against the Islamic order and “corruption on earth” among other allegations. Their trial consisted of six brief court appearances which began in January this year and ended in June.

Shawn Khorassani, of the West Berkshire Bahá’í Community, said: “Like Bahá’ís around the world, we have followed reports of the fate of these seven Iranian Bahá’í leaders with concern.”

And he echoed Bani Dugal (principal representative of the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations) when he added: “If the news of these jail sentences proves to be accurate, it represents a deeply shocking outcome to the case of these innocent and harmless people. We understand that their lawyers are in the process of launching an appeal.”

For more information, check out the Bahá’í World News Service