Sari: One-year sentence for "propaganda against the regime"

A letter to the authorities from Mr. Moslemi's wife can be read here.

Anvar Moslemi Sentenced to One-year Imprisonment

Posted: 12 Jun 2009

The following report was posted on Tuesday, June 9, 2009, on Iran Press News and is based on a report from the Subcommittee for Religious Freedom of the Committee for Human Rights in Iran, based in Germany. Iran Press Watch has previously reported on the authorities' pursuit of this Baha'i: here, here, here, here, and here.

On November 22, 2008, Anvar Moslemi was arrested in Sari and his house was raided by security agents. After some time, he was released on bail.

On June 8, 2009, Branch 1 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Sari issued a verdict against him. In this ruling, a baseless charge of "membership in groups opposing the nation or propaganda against the regime" was brought against Anvar Moslemi, and he was convicted to one year of imprisonment, crediting him with time already served.

The charge of "propaganda against the regime", like so many legal expressions, does not have a clear definition, though it is employed in the most sensitive aspect of the judiciary system – that is, it is an intersection of justice, judgment, and fairness. In regard to Baha'is, it is this charge – plus a few other baseless charges – that is used to incarcerate them. That is, they are imprisoned on the charge of "propaganda against the regime", which in reality is merely teaching the Baha'i Faith. That is, sharing the Baha'i principles with other citizens is considered to be "propaganda against the regime", and hence punishable by law.

It is appropriate to consider sources and books that are used as evidence against these individuals. In these books, we find the highest moral education, encouragement to prayer, history of the Babi and Baha'i Faiths, edification of children and pre-youth, and the ethical teachings of the Baha'i religion.

How can these things be viewed as materials against the regime? How can we convict individuals without the least evidence or documentation to 4 years of imprisonment – individuals who without ever mentioning the name "Baha'i" taught children in deprived areas? And they call this conviction "justice"?

Can we call every person who thinks different from us deviant? With such expressions shall we instill fear in people, and hope that until the end of time the truth will remain concealed?

[Source: http://www.iranpressnews.com/source/060267.htm. Translation by Iran Press Watch.]

From Iran Press Watch