A confidential report by a Government-appointed investigator in Iran has confirmed the innocence of three Baha’is who remain in prison there, a spokesperson for the Australian Baha’i community, Tessa Scrine, said today.
The three prisoners were among 53 Baha’is whose arrests in 2006 prompted an international outcry by governments and coverage by the world’s media.
In November 2007, four-year sentences were handed out to Haleh Rouhi, 29, Raha Sabet, 33, and Sasan Taqva, 32.
The other arrested Baha’is received a one-year suspended sentence and were ordered to undergo “re-education” classes.
Ms Scrine said the confidential report dated June 2008 has contradicted Government claims that the Baha’is were involved in “anti regime propaganda” or “the illegal teaching of the Baha’i Faith”.
“It is extremely unjust that three people remain locked up when an internal investigation by the authorities has shown they were innocent,” Ms Scrine said.
Approval
Ms Scrine said that a group of 53 young Baha’is and some Muslim friends had been involved since 2004, with the full knowledge and approval of the Shiraz city council, in projects to promote literacy, hygiene and morality among underprivileged children and youth in poor neighbourhoods.
The confidential report, published by the Human Rights Activists of Iran on 23 October, confirmed that the group was involved only in humanitarian activities.
A retired police colonel told the investigator: “The activities of these classes were writing, drawing, and teaching hygiene and moral values, and there was no mention of religious or political matters. There was never any mention or any statement regarding Bahaism.”
Amnesty International
When the sentences of the three were confirmed this year, the Australian director of Amnesty International, Claire Mallinson, called for them to be set free.
“The three Baha’i teachers appear to be held unjustly without due process or a fair trial,” Ms Mallinson said.
“They are considered by Amnesty International to be possible prisoners of conscience.”
Read a full report from the Baha’i World News Service