--UPDATE -- Feb. 22, 2010: The third court session for seven Baha’i leaders imprisoned in Iran is scheduled for Saturday, April 10, a day earlier than originally announced. (Read more at Iran.bahai.us)

Feb. 19, 2010: The trial proceedings for seven Iranian Baha’i leaders who have been in prison for nearly two years will continue on Sunday, April 10, according to information conveyed orally to their attorneys.

Government-sponsored news media reported that at their first hearing on January 12, 2010, the seven were charged with 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 defendants categorically deny all accusations.

A second hearing, held on February 7, dealt mainly with procedural matters.

The seven are Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr. Vahid Tizfahm. They were responsible for tending to the spiritual and social needs of Iran’s 300,000 Baha’is, after formal Baha’i institutions were dissolved in 1983.

The court proceedings coincide with the recent arrest of more Baha’is in Iran. Thirteen individuals were arrested on January 3; 10 of them are still in custody. Another 13 were detained last week; 11 of them are still in jail.

Currently, there are at least 60 Baha’is imprisoned throughout Iran.

• Read more from the Baha’i World News Service
• Follow http://iran.bahai.us for the latest news on the persecution of the Baha'is in Iran