Status of Baha’i prisoner in central Iran

Status of Baha’i prisoner in central Iran

Two years after the imprisonment of a Baha’i citizen by the name of Shamim Ettehadi authorities in Yazd Prison continue to refuse him any leave.

Ettehadi was arrested back in March 2013 on charges of propaganda against the state, membership in a Baha’i organization, insulting state agents, publishing lies and possessing satellite equipment. He was sentenced to 7½ years in jail and after an appeals court ruling the conviction was changed to 3 years in jail, 74 lashes, a two-year ban on leaving the country and a 40 million rial fine (around $1,300).

According to his relatives the main reason for his detention and such a ruling was the fact that he sent a 4 minute video clip of the destruction of a Baha’i cemetery in Yazd to a TV network outside of the country.

It is worth noting that Shamim Ettehadi is deprived of any leave while his mother, A’zam Mottahari, is also condemned to 1 year in jail and is awaiting to be transferred to prison to begin serving her time.