Baha’is in Bellevue will host a public prayer gathering at 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 7 at the Eastside Baha’i Center starting to express their concern for and solidarity with seven Baha’i leaders in Iran who have been brought to trial after spending 20 months in prison, with limited access to their attorneys.

According to accounts in Iran’s state-sponsored news media, the charges against the seven prisoners were espionage, “propaganda activities against the Islamic order,” the establishment of an “illegal administration,” cooperation with Israel, sending secret documents outside the country, acting against the security of the country, and “corruption on earth.” The charges potentially carry the death penalty.

Baha’is say the prosecution of the leaders is just one step in a 30-year-long systematic campaign orchestrated by the Iranian government to eliminate the Baha’i community as a viable entity in Iran, the birthplace of the Baha’i Faith.

The center in Bellevue is located at 16007 NE 8th St.