Iran to try seven Bahais accused of spying

Iran will put on trial seven members of the banned Bahai religion on charges of spying for arch-foe Israel, the official IRNA news agency reported Saturday.

Six of the seven Bahais were detained in May 2008 on security related charges, while another was arrested in March of last year. Iran had previously linked the group to Israel, saying they had received orders from Tel Aviv to undertake measures against the Islamic system.

"The trial of seven arrested Bahais accused of espionage for Israel and insulting sanctities will be held on Tuesday," deputy Tehran prosecutor Hassan Haddad said.

Haddad said that the suspects were also charged with making "propaganda against the Islamic republic of Iran" and that they will be prosecuted in a revolutionary court.

The Bahai International Community has said they were members of a committee that tends to the needs of Bahais in Iran.

The Bahai International Community represents the faith worldwide, operating under a governing council which is based in Israel, according to its website www.bahai.org.

Bahais say hundreds of their followers have been jailed and executed since Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution. The government denies it has detained or executed people for their religion.

Bahais consider Bahaullah, born in 1817, to be the last prophet sent by God. This is in direct conflict with Islam, the religion of the vast majority of Iranians, which considers Mohammed to be the last prophet.

In late 2008, Iran reported the hanging of a Bahai man for rape and adultery.

The European Union has expressed "serious concern" about the continuing systematic discrimination and harassment of Iranian Baha’is on the grounds of their religion.

The Bahai faith originated in Iran 150 years ago and Baha'is say the faith has 5 million adherents worldwide, including an estimated 300,000 or more in Iran.

Iran held this month two mass trials of detainees arrested over unrest that erupted after the country's disputed June presidential election.

The trial of seven arrested Bahais accused of espionage for Israel and insulting sanctities will be held on Tuesday

Deputy Tehran prosecutor Hassan Haddad