Photos

Photos are provided for news media and others needing downloads. Terms of use

The Friends in Iran

The imprisoned individuals whose trial began on 12 January 2010 are, top from left, Behrouz Tavakkoli, Fariba Kamalabadi, Vahid Tizfahm, Mahvash Sabet; bottom from left, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Saeid Rezaie and Afif Naeimi.

The seven Baha’is arrested in 2008 whose trial began on 12 January 2010 are, seated from left, Behrouz Tavakkoli and Saeid Rezaie, and, standing, Fariba Kamalabadi, Vahid Tizfahm, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, and Mahvash Sabet. All are from Tehran. The photograph was taken several months before their arrest.

The seven imprisoned Baha’i leaders whose trial began on 12 January 2010 are, from left, Behrouz Tavakkoli, Fariba Kamalabadi, Vahid Tizfahm, Mahvash Sabet; Jamaloddin Khanjani, Saeid Rezaie, and Afif Naeimi.

The seven Baha’i “leaders” imprisoned in Tehran in 2008 are pictured with their spouses at some point before the arrest.

Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi – arrested 14 May 2008 at her home in Tehran

Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani – arrested 14 May 2008 at his home in Tehran

Mr. Afif Naeimi – arrested 14 May 2008 at his home in Tehran

Mr. Saeid Rezaie – arrested 14 May 2008 at his home in Tehran

Mrs. Mahvash Sabet – arrested in Mashhad on 5 March 2008

Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli – arrested 14 May 2008 at his home in Tehran

Mr. Vahid Tizfahm – arrested 14 May 2008 at his home in Tehran

Baha’i homes and automobiles have been the target of arsonists, who often act with legal impunity. This home in Kerman was gutted by fire in July of 2008. The family had received threatening phone calls, and someone also tried to burn their car.

Baha’i cemeteries have been desecrated or destroyed in a number of cities and towns. These tombstones in the Baha'i cemetery near Najafabad were left in a heap when the entire burial ground was bulldozed.

This family in Fars province narrowly escaped injury when an arsonist used gasoline and caused an explosion and fire that destroyed a hut near where the family was sleeping.

A letter from a government ministry to 81 Iranian universities instructs them to expel Baha'i students.

In Shiraz, three young Baha’is are serving four-year prison sentences after being arrested while participating in an educational project for underprivileged youth. The three are Haleh Rouhi, Sasan Taqva, and Raha Sabet.

In May 2006, some 54 young Baha’is were arrested while doing volunteer work in an underprivileged area near Shiraz. The cases of many of Baha’is are still being adjudicated. These are three of those who were arrested.

An open letter signed by more than 240 Iranian academics, writers, activists and others, says “We are ashamed!” of silence in the face of persecution of Baha’is in Iran. The letter was published in February 2009.