Shirin Ebadi on the Bahais

Shirin Ebadi, head of the Defenders of Human Rights Center, told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran today that if the Iranian judiciary were to issue a verdict based on evidence in the case and not the Prosecutor’s claims, the trial of the seven Baha’i leaders in Tehran should end with an acquittal of her clients, as there is no evidence to her clients’ criminal behavior. The seven Baha’i leaders have been in prison for more than a year and a half and their court sessions have been postponed several times. People close to this case have told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that these individuals have been arrested and imprisoned for their religious beliefs only. Several other members of this religious minority group were arrested with similar charges of relations with foreign governments and leading the riots after the Ashura unrest in Iran. The charges have been denied by those near to Baha’i community. The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran condemns any violence or terrorist acts against civilians.