Nacogdoches man’s parents, sister put to death (Associated Press – 7/27/1983)

          
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          Follcwers of Bahai faith executed in fran
          NACOGDOCHES — It was 5 a.tn. on a Saturday when-
          the young Nacogdoehes man was shocked out of his
          sleep by- a telephone call from his brother in Australia.
          The message was brief: “Dad has become a martyr.”
          Their father had been execnted by the fanatical Islamic
          government of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
          At Sam. the next day the phone rang again. This time
          the news was even worse. Saeld Eehraghllearned that
          his mother and sister had been executed, too, for their
          refusal to recant their belief in tlje ahal faith.
          Nearly a week after learning of his loss, the 34-year.
          old native of Iran reflected on life in his former country
          and on the death of hia parents and sister.
          • The-executions were carried out despite the pleadings
          of governments and organizations throughout the world.
          Khomeini allegedly pointed to the personal plea of Ron-
          aid Reagan as an indication of the Bahain' guilt.
          Eshraghi hopes his story will help Ignite a global
          outcry loud enough to stilp the execstIons and ellglous
          persecution of some 300,000 Bahaia In a country boiling
          with Islamic fervor.
          Eshrsghi Is now co-owner-of an Italian restaurant In
          Nacogdochoo. When he. left Iran for Boston in 1978, he
          had no inklinp of the events that would soon rock his
          homeland, He planned to train as an architect and go-
          home.
          In a subdued voice, Eshraghi recalled arriving In
          Boston for language studiOs five years ago, about a year
          before Shah Mshamtsad Rena I'ahlavi was forced to
          flOe Iran and Khomeini set up hId Islamic republic.
          After studying language, Eshraghi went to Kilgore
          Junior College to begin architectural studies. But after
          • the revolution, when he could.no longer get money out of
          his homeland, he took a job in a local restaurant to
          support himself and his wife. Two months later he wan
          manager.
          He then took a job as manager-in the restaurant that 1
          he now partly owns.
          Eshraghl still has a sister In Iran, another sistOr In
          Nigeria and a brother In Australia.
          Although he didn't espect the. revolution, when. It did
          occur, Eshraghi knew the Bahais would suffer. Indeed,
          Bahai0 were-the target of persecution from the begin.
          ning ts embers of the faith had their homes burned and
          religious gathering places destroyed.
          The gersecution didn't touch Eshraghi personally until
          1980. wiles his family Is Shiraz was arrested and held
          for three day on suspicion of counterrevolutionary ac-
          tivity.
          Eohraghi explained that almost all members of the.
          Bahai faith in Iran are of the middle or upper-middle
          class. His fathCr, for example, had been an executive for
          Irana national oil company before the revolution.
          “My family had lived in Shiras for a long time, and
          .-.... ‘
          Nacogdoches man's parents, sister put to death.
          BY MICHAEL STEPHENS my dad was a very nice man. He never had an enemy in week. In June she asked her father for permission to
          Associated Press . . bin life. He loved people, and they had a lot of people marry her boyfriend.
          come to the house,' Eshraghl said. Her father consented, and she was engaged on the
          In a letter to his son, Eshraghi's father said be had, afternoon of June 16.
          been arrented because of. the number of people seen Earlier that same day, her father and five other Ba-
          coming and going from the family home. . hais were executed by hanging.
          Middle Eastern experts say It wan the middle class The next week her mother and sister were dead.
          that was most responsible for ousting the shah, Eshraghi”lt's such a waste for soctety,” Eshraghi said.
          said, . . Pointing to a name on the.list of those executed with
          So when Khomeini took power, he began undermining his father, Eshraghl added, “Thin man, Dr. Afnan, was 48
          the economic clout and civil liberties of those who had years old. He went to school for almost 30 years to
          brought down the shah, Enhraghi said. . become a doctor and just executing someone like him in
          The Bahain took the brnnt of the persecution, Esh- such a waste.”
          rdghi aaid, They were fired from theirjobs, and benefits . The Bahal faith originated in Iran. Followers believe
          for retirees, like his father, were terminated. Bahal in the oneness of mankind, elimination of prejudice,
          members were executed or Imprisoned on charges rang- equality of men and.women and the application of spin.
          ing from npying to being devils. . tual solutions to economic problems.
          When Enhraghi's family wan arrested for the second Eshraghi retaina a strong belief in the fait,h his family
          time In Shlraz nine months ago, they weren't released. died for. Bat he is alas grateful for his life in Nacogdo-
          Secret triale were held, and 21 people were condemned chen.
          to death unless they agreed to renounce their faith. “lilt living In --a society where people are human be-
          Hin siater who remained free was allowed to visit her fngs. Where they fight for humanity. And whore they are
          father, mother and. siblln for three mtnuton once a sincere.” . .. .
          BP000246
          CF WIrept,oIC - . , , . . . -
          Saeid Eshraghi of Nacogdoches tells of the persecution of the Bahal
          faIth In his native country of Iran. His father, mother and a sister were
          executed by the Islamic government of the Ayatollah Ruho lah Kho-
          meini for their refusal to recant their beliefs, - -.