...

Seven Baha'i leaders accused of espionage in Iran

Politics Materials 17 February 2009 17:10 (UTC +04:00)

Seven leaders of the Baha'i religious community were arrested on charges of espionage in Iran. A criminal case was launched and will be submitted to the court soon, the Fars news agency quoted the Iranian Justice Ministry as saying.

Iranian Justice Ministry official Alireza Jamshidi said the suspects were arrested and charged with espionage.

"We have proved their guilt and they will appear in court," he said.

Several U.S. Senators submitted a document to Congress on human rights infringements in Iran. They demanded adopting a resolution against the country for human rights violations.

Iranian Attorney General Gurbanali Durri Najafabadi sent a letter to Iranian Security Minister Golamhoseyn Mohsin Azhei stating that the suspects were conducting illegal activities in the country.

Najafabadi noted that the Iranian Constitution says everyone is free to choose their own faith.

"Everyone has the right to religious freedom, but provoking and deceiving the public is illegal," Najafabadi said.

Baha'i community representative to the UN Deyan Elayi issued a statement that the suspects are innocent and demanded their immediate release.

Latest

Latest