THE Irish Baha’i community was dismayed to learn that the seven Baha’i leaders in Iran have each reportedly been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment after being falsely accused of espionage, propaganda activities against the Islamic order and the establishment of an illegal administration, among other allegations.

IRAN hanged 24 convicted drug traffickers in a prison last week in one of the country’s biggest mass executions, the Etemad newspaper reported yesterday.

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad today rejected demands that Tehran suspend uranium enrichment activities, saying his government was determined to continue using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.