Arrest of Armenian Christian Couple in Karaj

Organization “Article 18” reported the arrest of a Christian couple in Karaj who were Armenian citizens.

According to Article 18, an organization supporting freedom of religion and belief based in London, “Hakob Kuchomyan” who traveled to Iran with his wife “Elisa Shahrudyan” and their two children to visit family were arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents in late Mordad of the current year, and after 4 months have remained in limbo.

The human rights media outlet “Hengaw” also reported their arrest without authorization with the presence of Ministry of Intelligence agents.

Elisa Shahrudyan is the daughter of Rafi Shahrudyan, an Iranian-born individual who emigrated to Armenia with his family 33 years ago. Her father, Reverend Rafi, was active in the Jama’at-e Rabbani church in Iran and after migrating to Armenia became a pastor of one of Armenia’s churches, who passed away this year.

Hakob Kuchomyan, Elisa Shahrudyan and their children traveled to Iran in Tir month of the current year. This family had previously traveled to Iran multiple times to visit family, but their trip this year resulted in their arrest and detention.

Mr. Hakob and his wife Elisa, who along with their 7 and 10-year-old children were invited to a party by an Iranian couple in Pardis, Karaj, were arrested on 24 Mordad by 12 Ministry of Intelligence agents. The agents also searched the residence, confiscated several Christian books and personal items, then took the Kuchomyan family to the grandmother’s house where they were staying and searched it as well. After handing over their children to their grandmother, they transferred Ms. Shahrudyan and Mr. Kuchomyan to Evin Prison.

They were held in solitary confinement in Ward 209 of Evin Prison for several weeks and subjected to severe psychological torture and extensive interrogations, which according to Article 18 reports lasted 5 hours each. A release order with a 5 billion toman bail was issued for Ms. Shahrudyan in Shahrivar month of the current year, which was later reduced to a 2 billion toman bail, and she was temporarily released from prison on 27 Mehr month. However, her husband Mr. Kuchomyan remains in indefinite detention in Evin Prison after 4 months of arrest.

It should be noted that contrary to international law commitments, the charges against them have not been formally announced, and their lack of knowledge regarding the charges violates Article 14, paragraph 3(a) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Iran is also a signatory to. According to the said article, every person has the right to be informed promptly and in detail in a language which he understands of the nature and cause of the charge against him.

According to Ms. Elisa’s statements, they have committed no illegal acts contrary to the laws of the Islamic Republic, and her husband Mr. Kuchomyan has not engaged in any activities that would be considered by the Islamic Republic regime as illegal Christian

activity against the system. After several months have passed, they remain unaware of the charges against them.