The Baha'i International Community has accused Iran of excavating a cemetery where hundreds of Baha'i followers are buried.
The community called on Iranian authorities to halt the work in the graveyard in the southern city of Shiraz.
The U.S.-based Baha'i community's spokesperson, Farhad Sabetan, said on May 2 that the excavation has begun and that some 40 trucks are lined up to remove earth.
Sabetan said it's not clear if the move is aimed at putting pressure on the religious minority or if the authorities plan to use the land to construct buildings.
Sabetan said the land belonged to the Baha'i community but was illegally seized by authorities several years ago.
Sabetan said more than 40 Baha'i-owned cemeteries have been desecrated in Iran since 2005.
Baha'is routinely face persecution in Iran.
The community called on Iranian authorities to halt the work in the graveyard in the southern city of Shiraz.
The U.S.-based Baha'i community's spokesperson, Farhad Sabetan, said on May 2 that the excavation has begun and that some 40 trucks are lined up to remove earth.
Sabetan said it's not clear if the move is aimed at putting pressure on the religious minority or if the authorities plan to use the land to construct buildings.
Sabetan said the land belonged to the Baha'i community but was illegally seized by authorities several years ago.
Sabetan said more than 40 Baha'i-owned cemeteries have been desecrated in Iran since 2005.
Baha'is routinely face persecution in Iran.