Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., May 25, 2008 Iyyar 20, 5768 | | Israel Time: 06:14 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 13:15 21/05/2008 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. Advertisement 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 Bookmark to del.icio.us   Jet error Israeli warplanes come close to shooting down Tony Blair's plane. Rehab (live) Report: Singer Amy Winehouse is to undergo drug rehab in Israel.   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

Read & React Bradley Burston: The Palestinians' time is running out Responses: 448 West backs Lebanese gov't capitulation to Hezbollah Responses: 205 Obama promises 'unshakable commitment' to Israel if elected Responses: 228 Hamas: Olmert too weak to negotiate peace agreement with Syria Responses: 213 McCain rejects pastor's support after 'God sent Hitler' jibe Responses: 121 Rosner's Domain Explaining Hagee's Holocaust remarks Poll: Peace between Israel & Syria? Should American Jews Embrace Living Double Lives? Rosner's Guests: can "decisive victory" against guerilla achieved? Blame the Israel Lobby for Clinton's loss? (WTR) More Headlines 05:11 Law enforcement source: Olmert's indictment is just a matter of time 05:16 ANALYSIS / Olmert's last police interview was tailormade for him 05:21 ANALYSIS: Can Syria break its Iranian bear hug? 01:48 Syria sends minister to Iran after shock revelation of Israel talks 01:06 Israel denies entry to high-profile critic Norman Finkelstein 03:00 Spanish doctors, Israeli reality 02:07 Israel places 9th in 2008 Eurovision Song Contest; Russia wins 01:16 Israeli warplanes almost shoot down Tony Blair's plane 03:38 Report: Singer Amy Winehouse to undergo drug rehab in Israel 02:11 'Israeli Big Lebowski' captures top student prize at Cannes 05:07 Critic and journalist Adam Baruch passes away at age 63 Previous Editions Select Day 23 may 22 may 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may

Special Offers Advertisement Dead Sea Products Buy Dead Sea mineral skin care and beauty products. Coupon code Haaretz for 10% off. Your vacation starts here Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates Istudy Learn Hebrew in 3 months The Terraces Your Ultimate Coastal Address On Nitza Boulevard, North Netanya Together Celebrating Israel's 60th The Jewish Agency and You - together making history Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved