Baha’i World News Service
The trial of seven Baha’i leaders imprisoned for more than two years in Iran seems to have concluded after hearings on 12, 13 and 14 June.
Australian Baha’i Community spokesperson Tessa Scrine said today that the trial appeared to have come to an end but there was no further information available yet.
The defendants are Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm.
Four of the defendants have immediate family members in Australia.
Before their imprisonment, the seven attended to the spiritual and social needs of Iran’s Baha’i community, which numbers more than 300,000. They have been held in Evin prison since they were arrested in early 2008.
There were three previous hearings this year—on 12 January, 7 February and 12 April. At the first hearing, the seven categorically denied charges of espionage, propaganda activities against the Islamic order, and “corruption on earth,” among other allegations.
The second appearance was concerned mainly with procedural issues. The third session, purportedly a closed hearing, was adjourned after the seven – with the agreement of their attorneys – refused to be party to the proceedings because of the presence of non-judicial personnel.