Attack by Security Forces Results in the Arrest of Baha'is in Tehran

Attack by Security Forces Results in the Arrest of Baha'is in Tehran

Committee of Human Rights Reporters – From the early hours of January 3rd, security forces have been going to the homes of Baha’i people in Tehran and arresting them.

So far, the arrested protesters’ names received are as follows: Lava Khanjani, Babak Mobasher, Payam Fanaeian, Jinous Sobhani (Payam’s wife), Artin Ghazanfari, Farid Rohani, Mehran Rohani, Nasim Biglori, and Negar Sabet.

It should be mentioned that Negar Sabet and Jinous Sobhani have been released.

After Babak Mobasher was arrested last night, his wife, Lava Khanjani, also got arrested this morning after being summoned by security forces. She is one of the grandchildren of Jamaleddin Khanjani, one of the seven principals of the Baha’i Society, who has been in prison for over a year. Their hearing is scheduled for January 12th.

Before this, Jinous Sobhani, secretary of Defendersof Human Rights Centre was arrested at her home on Wednesday January 13, 2009. She was released on Wednesday March 10th, 2009 on a $70,000 bail.

According to the reports received, the reason given for the arrest of these people is “participation in riots during Ashura.” In the past few days, some government officials and related media have been making comments about the role of Baha’i people in the riots duringAshura. These comments make the situation of the arrested worrisome.

- Bahaar, Persian2English