Fourteen men who are summoned are among the dervishes that had been arrested in a group protest against the illegal behavior of Gonabad prosecuting attorney.

These people have been convicted to jail, flogging, and exile to deprived areas.

Doctor Mostafa Azmayesh, a visiting professor of law in France, in charge of the Public Relations of Global Stewardship Association of Human Rights in Iran and spokesman for Gonabadi Dervishes Order about the Islamic Republic of Iran dealing with the followers of the Gonabadi order claims that “pressure on this order in the recent period continues with oscillations”. In his opinion, the aim of these threats is to wipe off the existence of Gonabadi Order from the minds of people and to do this they have even removed the name of the city Gonabad from the map of Iran and books.

Mr. Azmayesh adds that followers of Dervishism are under pressure and even are not allowed to bury their dead bodies in Mazar-e-Sultani tomb as was common before. Dervishes are protesting against these policies, but in turn they not only got an answer, but also were arrested and imprisoned with trumped-up accusations.

Doctor Azmayesh explains the behavior of judicial system with the arrested dervishes was illegal and their trials were biased and one-sided and the Dervishes’ lawyers were not allowed to have access to their files. Even their lawyers have been imprisoned or their licenses to practice law were revoked on the charge being Dervish.

Radio France