Persecution of Bahá'ís in Iran

The Associated Press reported today that authorities have ordered Iran’s largest-circulation newspaper, Hamshahri, to close after it published an advertisement containing a photograph of a Baha’i temple. The AP wire story provided an overview of the ongoing persecution of Baha’is in Iran, including mention of the seven Baha’i leaders who have yet to face trial since they were arrested in the spring of 2008. The ban on the newspaper was lifted one day later, according to a Reuter’s report.

From the AP wire article:

Iran’s hard-line judiciary has shut down more than 120 pro-reform newspapers and jailed dozens of editors and writers on vague charges of insulting authorities since 2000.

The closure order was also a message to Iran’s estimated 300,000 Baha’is.

The original wire article was reprinted in The Washington Post and the New York Times, and covered by Reuters , the Jerusalem Post and Yahoo! News.

Tags: AP wire, Associated Press, Baha'i arrests, Bahai, bahai leaders, Hamshahri, Iran, Jerusalem Post, New York Times, NYT, persecution of the Baha'is, Reuters, The Washington Post, Yahoo!