A Baha’i Arrested in Semnan
Semnan continues to be a hotbed of anti-Baha’i activity, and many incidents against the Baha’is of that town have been reported in the pages of Iran Press Watch.
Iran Press Watch learned earlier today of the arrest of another Baha’i in that locality through a posting on Iran Press News dated Thursday, April 9, 2009. The following is that report in translation:
In continuation of the worrisome condition of the Baha’i community of Semnan, another Baha’i citizen of that town has been arrested by security agents.
On April 6, 2009, Mr. Ali Ehsani, one of the Baha’is of Semnan, was summoned by the Revolutionary Court. When he appeared at the court, charges against him were stated orally by the town’s prosecutor-general. In the same session, surety and bail were determined for his release in form of a deposit of property titles. However, as he was unable to provide the bail surety, he was taken into custody and incarcerated in Semnan’s prison facilities.
On Wednesday, April 8, Mr. Ehsani’s wife went to Semnan’s prison to visit her husband. However, when Mr. Ehsani was brought to the visiting hall, the prison authorities refused to allow the husband and wife to meet, stating that he was being held incommunicado.
Mrs. Ehsani observed that her husband’s condition was highly stressed, and that his head had been shaven.
It should be noted that this incident has taken place after a series of anti-Baha’i activities, such as attacks against and looting of a number of Baha’i homes, arrest of several Baha’is, destruction and arson of the Baha’i cemetery, and the bombing of several Baha’i residences.
According to Human Rights Activists in Iran, the Ehsanis were among the 20 Baha’i families whose homes in Semnan were searched by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence on December 15, 2008, and some of whose personal property was confiscated.
On the same day, Mr. Ehsani’s store, which distributes medical and dental equipment, was searched without a legal warrant, and all the furniture, equipment and merchandise in the store was confiscated and transferred to the office of the Ministry of Intelligence. From that date, the store has been illegally kept shut by the Ministry.
In regards to Mr. Ehsani’s arrest, the charges against him are propaganda against the regime and not having tag on all his merchandize.
[Posted in Persian on Thursday, April 9, 2009 at http://www.iranpressnews.com/source/057199.htm. Translation by Iran Press Watch.]
Iran Press Watch
http://www.iranpresswatch.org/2009/04/a-bahai-arrested-in-semnan/
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