West Berkshire’s Bahá’i community say their thoughts are with the seven Bahá’i leaders in Tehran’s Evin prison, as they learn that a third court date has been set – for Saturday 10 April.
There are now about 60 Bahá’is in detention in various cities in Iran. Charges against the seven were reiterated in news accounts in government-sponsored news media as: espionage, “propaganda activities against the Islamic order,” the establishment of an illegal administration, co-operation with Israel, the sending of secret documents outside the country, acting against the security of the country and “corruption on earth”.
Shawn Khorassani, a West Berkshire based Bahá’i, said: “The trial has already been conducted on two separate days – 12 January and 7 February 2010 – and now a third date has been set. This stop-start approach must be disheartening, but the West Berkshire Bahá’i community believes that the seven leaders must be drawing inner strength from their faith.
“That still doesn’t stop us from feeling concern for them, however, and we hope that the international messages of support will be maintained and that the release and ultimate acquittal of these seven will continue to be called for.”
Thames Valley Bahá’í Community 