The last imprisoned member of the Baha'i community leaders known as the "Yaran" group has been released after 10 years in prison.
Afif Naimi, 56, the last of seven former Baha'i leaders in Iran, was released from prison in Iran on Thursday. He had been imprisoned for 10 years.
Afif Naimi was arrested in 2008, along with a number of other Baha'i leaders in Iran, on various charges, including espionage.
Afif Naimi, and six other Baha'i leaders, had formed the "Yaran" group, which addressed the needs of the Baha'i community in Iran.
Mr. Naimi, who has two children, developed many health problems during his time in prison, and the Islamic Republic's judicial authorities did not count the time he was hospitalized due to illness as part of his sentence.
Diane Alaei, the representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations, expressed her happiness over the release of Afif Naimi, but said that this should not be seen as an improvement in the situation of Baha'is in Iran.
A large number of Baha'is in Iran are still imprisoned and under pressure.
Source: Voice of America
