Baha'is imprisoned in Yemen may face deportation to Iran

NEW YORK

The three Baha'is were arrested in June, apparently in relation totheir belief in and practice of the Baha'i Faith, along with a Baha'iof Iraqi origin.

The three Baha'is of Iranian origin who were arrested are Mr.Zia'u'llah Pourahmari, Mr. Keyvan Qadari, and Mr. Behrooz Rohani. Afourth Baha'i, Mr. Sayfi Ibrahim Sayfi, was also arrested and faces thepossibility of deportation to Iraq.

The three Baha'is of Iranian background all have successful businesses in Yemen, and their families are well established there.

Since their arrest, the Baha'i International Community has been working through diplomatic channels to obtain their release.

There are approximately 250 registered Baha'is in Yemen, and thecommunity has enjoyed relative freedom for its members to quietlypractice their faith.

source: http://news.bahai.org/story/651