Mick Hartley

From Human Rights Watch:

Iran should immediately free seven detained Baha'i community leaders, or bring them promptly to trial so they can defend themselves in fair and open proceedings against the serious charges against them, Human Rights Watch said today. Today is the one-year anniversary of the detention of six of them, while the seventh was detained earlier. None have had access to a lawyer.

The seven men and women have been charged with spying for Israel, "insulting religious sanctities," and spreading propaganda against the Islamic Republic. In addition, prison officials at Evin prison in Tehran informed relatives visiting the detained men and women last week that they would also be charged with "spreading corruption on Earth" (mofsede fel arz), said Diane Ala'i, the Baha'i International Community's representative to the UN in Geneva. This offense is punishable by death under Iran's Penal Code. 

"These Baha'i leaders have been languishing in prison for a year now, with no access to their lawyers and no glimmer of a trial date," said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "These reported new charges only add to the fears for their lives under a government that systematically discriminates against Bahai's."  […]

The Baha'i faith is a monotheistic religion founded by Baha'ullah in 19th-century Iran and has approximately 300,000 followers in Iran. The Iranian government considers Baha'is to be apostates from Islam. Today, Baha'is face discrimination in their pursuit of higher education and many areas of employment. In addition, the inclusion of Israel as a "holy place" in the Baha'i faith in 1868 has, since the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, been used to fuel persistent accusations against Baha'is in Iran of spying for Israel, with which Iran has hostile relations.

For a glimpse of the way the Baha'i are viewed in Egypt, check out this compilation of excerpts from TV debates on the subject at MEMRI. If you haven't time to grapple with the theological complexities of the Islamic position – The truth is that after Muhammad, there can be no other religion whatsoever. Allah said: "Muhammad was not the father of any man among you. He was the messenger of Allah and the seal of the prophets. Allah is Omniscient." After the messenger of Allah, any person who claims he was sent by God is lying – then this, from May 2006, pretty much sets the tone:

Presenter: We have with us the MP who demanded that Bahais be killed, Sheik Maher 'Aql. Welcome, Sheik Maher.

Sheik Maher 'Aql: Hello.

Presenter: Still determined about killing the Bahais?

Sheik Maher 'Aql: Allah willing.

For background, here's Wiki on the Baha'i faith.