Baha'i news: Prison sentences for Iran's Baha'i leaders reportedly reduced to 10 years

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Prison sentences for Iran's Baha'i leaders reportedly reduced to 10 
years


NEW YORK, 16 September (BWNS) — The 20-year prison sentences received 
by Iran's seven Baha'i leaders have reportedly been reduced.

The Baha'i International Community has learned that the lawyers 
representing the seven were informed orally yesterday that the 
20-year jail terms have now been changed to 10 years. 

The seven - Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, 
Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm - 
were all members of a national-level group that, with the Iranian 
government's knowledge, helped see to the minimum spiritual needs of 
Iran's 300,000-strong Baha'i community.

The trial of the seven consisted of six brief court appearances which 
began on 12 January this year after they had been incarcerated 
without charge for 20 months. They were allowed barely one hour's 
access to their legal counsel during that time. The trial ended on 14 
June.

The defendants were accused of propaganda activities against the 
Islamic order and the establishment of an illegal administration, 
among other allegations. All the charges were completely and 
categorically denied.

The seven were moved from Evin Prison after receiving their sentence 
to Gohardasht prison in Karaj. 

Reports of the 20-year sentence provoked a chorus of condemnation 
from governments around the world - including Australia, Canada, 
France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the U.K. and the 
U.S.A. The European Union and the President of the European 
Parliament also joined the protest, along with numerous human rights 
organizations, other groups and countless individuals. 


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http://news.bahai.org/story/793