05 April 2011

Iran upholds prison sentence for Baha'i leaders ahead of Christians' blasphemy trial

Seven leaders of the Baha’i faith, currently detained in Gohardasht prison in Karaj, have been informed that their original 20-year prison term has been reinstated. The judgment came days before the blasphemy trial of five members of the Church of Iran is due to begin.

The seven Baha’is were arrested in early 2008 and held for over two years without trial. In August 2010 they were finally tried and found guilty of espionage, acting against national security and forming an illegal cult.

The group was acquitted of the two former charges at appeal following vocal international condemnation of the case, and the original sentence of 20 years was halved. [Christian Today Australia] Read more [via National Secular Society]