Friday 30 Esfand 1387

(March 20, 2009)

Two Bahai citizens were arrested by the police.

On the morning of the 24 of Esfand (16 of March) agents of the Information Ministry raided the home of Mr. Farhad Maasumi, and Ms. Haleh Hooshmandi, two Shirazi Bahais.  Since Ms. Hooshmandi was on a trip, the agents obtained the key to her home from her mother through threats.  The agents confiscated from both homes all the books, computers, CDs, and many personal items such as identity cards, passports, social security cards, and many others.

Mr. Maasumi was taken to the security agency headquarters known as "Block 100" and after many hours of interrogation was freed.  Ms. Hooshmand upon return from her trip voluntarily went to Block 100 but was told to return home until she was contacted.

On March 19, the security agency contacted both to come to the station on the next day.  The agent taking both had told them that they would be freed the same day, but the family heard that they may be there overnight, but finally on the 21 it was announced that two are under arrest for a while and the families would hear about their position, including visitation rights by phone.

The reason for their arrest was stated as "illegal activities" and after inquiries to the Press Center at the Information Ministry about what such activities were, the Information Ministry response was that "they are Bahais and that is enough"

The information is not necessarily reliable;  a month ago, upon the arrest of another Bahai Mr. Kaivan Karami, the arresting agents told the family of Mr. Karami that the Press Center does not have any information or authority to state the charges or give information!  At that time Press Center had told the family of Karami that his arrest was because of his proselytization of a Muslim friend to Bahai Faith.  However, the friend of Mr. Karimi who was also arrested at that time has been freed on bond, but Mr. Karami is still in jail and his family is being told his charge is something else.

Both Ms. Hooshmandi and Mr. Maasumi were part of the 52 Bahai youth who were arrested four years ago for humanitarian and social work among the poor children of Shiraz.  Both received one year suspended sentences and were ordered to and were attending the Islamic Propaganda classes during their suspended sentence.  It is not clear if their recent arrest had any connection with their prior incarceration and sentence