Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and a prosecutor in Isfahan city have coerced Muslim neighbors and friends of 10 jailed Baha'i women into filing complaints against them, reports say.
Several individuals summoned in this context have been forced to file complaints against these women, under pressure, threats and intimidation, according to Radio Farda.
Yeganeh Agahi, Negin Khademi, Arezo Sobhanian, Yeganeh Roohbakhsh, Shana Shoghifar, Mojgan Shahrezaei, Neda Badakhsh, Bahareh Lotfi and Neda Emadi were arrested on Monday, October 23.
According to sources, the arrests were carried out with a court order, and some of the personal belongings of these citizens were also confiscated by security agents.
Several of these citizens have previously faced arrests and other court orders.
The Isfahan prosecutor has informed the families of these women that their detention may last from "six months to one year."
Baha’is have been systematically persecuted in Iran for 44 years because of their faith and are often accused of being spies or opposed to the Iranian government.
The Baha’i International Community and other spokespersons note that no evidence has ever been provided to demonstrate these charges.
The Iranian government has intensified its crackdown on members of the Baha'i faith, imprisoning dozens of them on spurious charges over the past year, as well as denying access to higher education, livelihoods, and confiscating or destroying personal properties.
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