A number of Iranian Baha'is in Bam, Kerman and Tehran have been arrested, Bam's prosecutor general announced.
Mohammadreza Sanjari told ISNA that the arrests were the result of nine months of "intelligence gathering" that led to the suspects being identified and arrested. Sanjari said they were accused of the "promotion and proliferation of their programs under the guise of cultural-educational activities in a number of preschool childcare facilities in Bam, Kerman and Tehran."
"Our investigations have revealed the existence of a widespread network engaged in complex operations," the Bam prosecutor general told ISNA. "These individuals get their orders from the centre and carry out various operations."
The Society against Education Discrimination reports that three Baha'i citizens who work on cultural and educational programs for children have been arrested recently: Saman Ostovar, Sahar Biramabadi and Nahaleh Shahidi.
The Bam prosecutor alleges that these people "infiltrated" a local newspaper in Kerman Province and have been "inculcating" Baha'i views through children's stories.
Sanjari further alleged that the Baha'i organization exploited the confusion following the 2003 earthquake in Bam, when the city was in need of cultural, social and educational programs. He called on government officials to remain vigilant in identifying such elements.
Although Baha'ism originates in Iran and currently has 300,000 followers in Iran, the Islamic Republic does not recognize Baha'ism as a legitimate religion. Baha'is face various forms of discrimination in Iran including, including being prohibited from pursuing secondary education.
Several Baha'is were also arrested in the course of protests against the disputed re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Two years ago seven Baha'i community leaders were arrested in Iran and charged with espionage. Last August, each was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
source: Radio Zamaneh
Members of Mehdi Karroubi's family reported that for the first time in 18 days, a light has been turned on at their parents' home.
“We still believe that our mother and father were arrested and kidnapped and taken to an unknown location, but due to fierce domestic and international pressure and the heroic actions of our people, they have been returned to their home," a member of the Karroubi family told Saham News. "However, we will not be deceived by the authorities until we actually see them in their home."
Mehdi Karroubi and Mir-Hossein Mousavi, and their wives Fatemeh Karroubi and Zahra Rahnavard, have been held under house arrest for 18 days now, after they rallied people to join street protests in support of the recent Arab uprisings.
Last week, the government's refusal to allow any contact with the opposition leaders led to speculation that the captives had been transferred to a prison. On Tuesday, Kaleme website corrected its earlier report and confirmed that Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Zahra Rahnavard are still at their home under house arrest.
Ardeshir AmriArjmand, a Mousavi aide outside of Iran, told BBC that the couple had certainly taken away for a period of time but have now been sighted in a building near their home.
While Iran's prosecutor general had confirmed that they are restricted from all contact, Iran's foreign minister has told foreign media that the opposition leaders are leading a normal life, free to come and go as they please.
So far no direct contact with the two couples has been reported and the opposition has expressed grave concern regarding the treatment of the opposition leaders.
source: Radio Zamaneh
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