Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, spokesman for the Iranian judiciary, called Faezeh Hashemi's meeting with Fariba Kamalabadi, one of the directors of the Baha'i community in Iran, a "very ugly and shameful" act and said that the matter will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Mr. Ejei said today, Wednesday, May 19: "This was a very ugly and vile act. What is even uglier is that after all the condemnations and even after his father recommended it to him, he did not apologize."
He added: "The judicial system pursues any crime that occurs in its own way, and this matter, like other cases, will be dealt with appropriately and in accordance with the law and based on what the law has determined."
Faezeh Hashemi was inmate with Fariba Kamalabadi during her time in prison, and a few days ago, when Ms. Kamalabadi was released after eight years in prison, Ms. Hashemi, along with a number of other inmates and political and social activists, went to visit Ms. Kamalabadi.
The publication of the photo of this meeting has sparked widespread reactions. Among them, Sadeq Zibakalam, a professor of political science at the University of Tehran, said that Ms. Hashemi's work was correct and commendable in every respect.
Referring to the narrations about the respectful and friendly treatment of non-Muslims by the Prophet of Islam and Shiite imams, Mr. Zibakalam said about the imprisoned Baha'is: "What is the real crime of these people who have been in prison for 8 years, some for longer? Did these people spy and give away the secrets of the country to foreigners and betray the homeland?"
