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137. On 10 June 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent another communication in
connection with the building over the grave of Quddus (see above), which in the
interim had reportedly been completely levelled. Despite attempts to protect the site, it
was reported that the demolition of the rest of the structure had continued gradually
and quietly, in a manner designed not to attract attention. Subsequently, the Bahá'ís
were allegedly prevented from retrieving the remains of Quddus. The Bahá'ís in Babul
reportedly approached the local clergy, who directed them to the local prosecutor, who
referred them to the Ministry of Information, which refused to issue the necessary
permission.
138. On 14 June 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent a communication in relation to
information according to which on 23 May 2004, the Iranian police arrested Khosroo
Yusefi, a Protestant pastor, along with his wife Nasrin and two teenage children, an
18-year-old son and a daughter aged 15. The arrests allegedly took place in Chalous, a
town on the Caspian Sea coast in northern Iran. The family reportedly remained
imprisoned without known charges. Reportedly, dozens of members from two of
Pastor Yusefi’s church groups were jailed in the first week of May and later released.
However, the arrest of 23 May allegedly marked the first time that the entire family of
a Christian leader had been taken into custody.
139. By letter dated 21 December 2004, the Government of the Islamic Republic of
Iran responded that, according to the information received from the judiciary of the
Islamic Republic of Iran, no record had been found of Mr. Khosroo Yusefi and his
family.
140. On 20 October 2004, the Special Rapporteur, jointly with the Special
Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Special Rapporteur
on the question of torture and the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its
causes and consequences transmitted an urgent appeal to the Government regarding
J.I., aged 13, who was reportedly sentenced to death by stoning in Marivan for
adultery and was at risk of imminent execution. According to the information
received, she was raped by her 15-year-old brother and became pregnant. She gave
birth to her baby about two weeks before the urgent appeal was sent. It was reported
that J.I. would not have the possibility to appeal the sentence, which was said to be
carried out in the following days. Her brother was sentenced to 100 lashes, in
accordance with Islamic laws. He was in prison in Tehran awaiting his punishment.
141. On 3 November 2004, the Special Rapporteur transmitted a communication to
the Government regarding Hamid Pourmand, a lay pastor in the Assemblies of God
Church, and 85 other Evangelical Church leaders who were arrested during a meeting
in the city of Karaj on 9 September 2004. It was reported that 76 of those arrested
were released the same day and 10 pastors were kept for interrogation about other
Christian leaders for three more days. The nine colleagues of Hamid Pourmand who
were released were warned that they should expect to be summoned again in a few
weeks for more questioning. When Hamid Pourmand’s family returned to their
residence after a stay in Tehran, they discovered that their home had been broken into
and ransacked, with all of the family’s papers, documents and photographs removed.
Iranian authorities had refused to give any reason for the arrest and prolonged
detention of Hamid Pourmand.