Fariba Kamalabadi and Mahvash Sabet were each sentenced to 10 years in prison
13-December-2022
Category: protesters
December 12, 2022
News group: Protests –
Breathing in Confinement: Fariba Kamalabadi and Mahvash Sabet, former members of the leaders Board of the Baha’i community in Iran, were each sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Revolutionary Court in Tehran.
According to “Breathing in Confinement”, the news organ of the Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, on December 11, the Baha’i community office announced the sentencing of Fariba Kamalabadi and Mahvash Sabet (Shahriari) to ten years in prison.
These two Baha’i citizens, who had previously been imprisoned for ten years, were sentenced again to prison by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran, headed by Judge Iman Afshari, on the charge of “espionage for Israel.” This is even though charge of espionage against the leaders of the Baha’i community had been dropped after 7 years of investigation during their previous imprisonment.
The trial of these Baha’i citizens was held on Monday, November 21, 2022. As per the indictment issued by the General and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of the 33rd District of Tehran, Ms. Sabet has been accused of “managing a deviant sect with the aim of disrupting the country’s security”.
According to the indictment, applying “Article 498 of the Islamic Penal Code”, between 2-10 years of imprisonment had been requested for her. Meeting with Baha’i citizens in various cities in Iran, participating in Baha’i religious ceremonies and communicating with Baha’is abroad using the WhatsApp are among the accusations against Ms. Sabet.
Mahvash Sabet (Shahriari) and Fariba Kamalabadi, former members of the leaders Board of the Baha’i community in Iran, were arrested by the security forces on Sunday, July 31 this year, along with 5 other Baha’i citizens in other cities. On this day, the homes of at least 37 other Baha’i citizens were searched by the security forces.
In addition, concurrently with the announcement of the Ministry of Intelligence, the state TV accused the detained Baha’i citizens of espionage, influencing in kindergartens and promoting not wearing hijab in the country.
“Reports published by the Islamic Republic in the media once again proved that Baha’i citizens in Iran are subjected to systematic persecution simply because of their religious beliefs,” said Simin Fahandej, spokesperson for the Baha’i World Community at the United Nations.
It needs to be said that Mahvash Sabet suffers from heart disease.
Mahvash Sabet and Fariba Kamalabadi have spent 10 years in prisons of Rajaeeshahr, Evin and Qarchak.