7Baha’i community sentenced to a total of 30 years in prison

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The Revolutionary Court has issued sentencings totaling 30 years imprisonment for 7 administrators and professors of the Baha’i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE).

Human Rights House of Iran reports that during the past days Judge Moghiseh presiding over branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court has handed down the verdicts for the seven citizens.

These seven educators were detained and handed down verdicts based on the charge of “membership in the Baha’i community.”
Ramin Zibaie, Mahmoud Badavam, Riaz Sobhani, Farhad Sedghi, and Noushin Khadem were each handed down a 4-year prison sentence; Vahid Mahmoudi and Kamran Mortezaei were each handed down a 5-year prison sentence.

These citizens have to date spent almost 5 months behind bars since the time of their detainment. On May 22, 2011, security forces raided the residences of scores of Baha’i citizens who are affiliated with the institution of higher learning. Their homes were searched and ransacked and many were arrested. Riaz Sobhani was arrested separately on June 15, 2011. Of the many who were detained, these 7 have remained behind bars and have now been issued lengthy prison sentences.

Last week on October 10th, Rain Zibayi, Mahmood Badavam, Riaz Sobhani, Farhad Sedghi, and Kamran Mortezaie were transferred from Evin’s ward 209 to Rajai Shahr prison in the city of Karaj. On Saturday Noushin Khadem was transferred from ward 209 to the women’s public ward in Evin prison.