Arrest and Search of Christian Citizens’ Homes in Karaj
Intelligence Ministry officials raided the homes of Christian citizens in Karaj and arrested several people.
Every year as Christmas approaches and Christians in Iran celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Islamic Republic regime agents raid Christian homes and workplaces or arrest them. In recent years, pressure on Christians and attacks on their homes and house churches, especially ahead of Christmas, have intensified.
According to “Article 18,” in the past two days, Intelligence Ministry officials raided two homes and one shop in Karaj belonging to Christian citizens, arrested four people, and confiscated their personal belongings including phones, laptops, and other items. Among those arrested was “Milad Godarzi,” a former prisoner of conscience, who was also detained. Intelligence Ministry officials conducted the home searches with a judicial warrant. Two of the detainees, named Alireza and Amir, are held in an undisclosed location, and no information about the charges against them is currently available.
Milad Godarzi, a member of a house church, was sentenced to three years in prison in 1400 (2021) for peaceful religious activities. He was pardoned and released in March of last year. He was arrested again on Monday, December 11, 1402 (2023) by officials. It is worth noting that Amin Khaki and Alireza Noor-Mohammadi were also summoned to court with him in November 1400 (2021), and all three were sentenced to a total of 9 years in prison. The charges against them were described as “propaganda activities and deviant religious teachings contrary to the sanctity of Islamic law.”
According to Article 500 of the Islamic Penal Code, which was communicated to the judiciary by the government in late February 1401 (2022) for implementation, engaging in any educational or propaganda activity that deviates from the sanctity of Islamic law in real or virtual spaces, or establishing psychological and physical control over people in the form of a sect or any other organized criminal group is considered a crime.
The charges against the three aforementioned individuals are based on amendments known as Article 500 of the Islamic Penal Code, and this is the first time this article has been applied to prosecute Christian citizens.
According to Amnesty International, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic has agreed to release prisoners in response to international protests, but has violated the human rights of these citizens with baseless charges and without presenting evidence or documents, sending them to prison. Then these same imprisoned individuals, who have been victims of government injustice, are released under the name of amnesty and pardon.
