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Iran detains seven Baha'i leaders, citing 'Zionist' ties
By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent, Haaretz Service and News Agencies
Tags: Iran, Israel, ADL, Baha'i

Iran has in the past two months arrested seven leaders of Baha'i religion, an offshoot of Islam, citing alleged links to "Zionist agents."

The Baha'i International Community said six of the detainees were members of a committee that tends to the needs of Baha'is in Iran. It said a seventh member, a woman, was detained in March in the eastern city of Mashhad.

A relative of 57-year-old Behrouz Tavakkoli, one of those detained, told Reuters in an e-mail that intelligence agents who came to Tavakkoli's house took Baha'i books, papers and documents, and also other items such as computers and CDs.
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Subsequently, the relative said Tavakkoli's wife obtained a reference number for her husband's case from Iran's Revolutionary Court, which handles cases that include issues considered a threat to national security.

In Tehran, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said any such cases were a judicial matter when asked for details at a news conference. There was no immediate comment from the judiciary.

The Anti-Defamation League on Wednesday condemned the arrests, and urged "world leaders to join together and insist that Iran release these religious prisoners."

"The arrests of leaders of the Baha'i faith demonstrate the seriousness of the loss of basic religious freedoms and human rights in Iran," said the statement.

"The U.S. government and leading human rights activists have likened the situation to the crackdowns on Baha'is immediately after the 1979 revolution in Iran, when 17 Baha'i leaders were arrested. They have never been heard from again."

Baha'is say hundreds of their faith have been jailed and executed since Iran's Islamic revolution in 1979. The government denies it has detained or executed people for their faith.

The Baha'i faith originated in Iran 150 years ago and Baha'is say the faith has 5 million adherents worldwide, including an estimated 300,000 or more in Iran
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  1.   Durson/Clickfool to defend Iran 13:50  |  Robert 21/05/08
  2.   israeli rabbi burns new testimant 15:00  |  g. lee 21/05/08
  3.   Lee you compare Government to few misguided individuals 15:27  |  Simon 21/05/08
  4.   Bahai 15:40  |  Moshe 21/05/08
  5.   Moshe #4 16:08  |  Phoenix 21/05/08
  6.   Iran showing its true colors 16:19  |  Rightster 21/05/08
  7.   With this accusation...all they need is the ADL to come and help! 16:36  |  OY VEY! 21/05/08
  8.   Phoenix #5 16:55  |  Moshe 21/05/08
  9.   Iran and the left 17:09  |  Luther 21/05/08
  10.   Where is the Muslim outcry? 19:16  |  Paul Henzen 21/05/08
  11.   Do the Iranians really have to have a reason. . . . 19:19  |  MichaelF 21/05/08
  12.   No worries, Obama will gently talk to them 19:24  |  steve from Raleigh 21/05/08
  13.   #9 - Luther 19:29  |  MichaelF 21/05/08
  14.   #4 Phoenix: Not Only Is Islam Intolerant Towards Other Religions 20:00  |  Lavi 21/05/08
  15.   "freedom of religion` 20:10  |  abu yusuf 21/05/08
  16.   Moshe to Phoenix 20:34  |  David Isarel 21/05/08
  17.   Big Lie--Old Tactic 20:40  |  Joseph 21/05/08
  18.   baha`is are *not* muslim, & that is why arrested 20:45  |  frenz 21/05/08
  19.   Blockade Apartheid Iran 01:17  |  Democrat 22/05/08
  20.   I though Iran had religious freedom 02:26  |  * BEN JABO 24/05/08
  21.   Not an offshoot of Islam 18:56  |  Shervin 24/05/08
  22.   MUSLIM CLERGY ENEMY OF BAHAIS SINCE ITS BIRTH 1844 03:57  |  enrique 25/05/08
  23.   Correction: Baha`i marriages are not recognized in Iran 05:17  |  enrique 25/05/08
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