Appeals Court Upholds Prison, Exile, and Work Ban Sentences for Three Christians in Bushehr

The Bushehr Revolutionary Court of Appeals has upheld the prison, exile, and work ban sentences for three Christians in the city.

The human rights website “Article 18” reported on Tuesday, February 3rd, that the fourth branch of the Bushehr Revolutionary Court of Appeals upheld the sentences of Sassan Khosravi, Sam Khosravi, and Habib Haidari on January 29th.

According to the report, these three people are among seven Christians who were charged with “propaganda against the system” by the Bushehr Revolutionary Court in June 2020 because of their “religious belief and faith-based activities.”

Four other Christians did not file appeals.

The four other defendants are Maryam Fallahi, wife of Sam Khosravi; Marjan Fallahi, wife of Sassan Khosravi; and Pouria Peima and his wife Fateme Talebi.

Previously, the court sentenced Sam and his brother Sassan Khosravi to one year in prison each, and banned them from residing in Bushehr for two years to cut ties with the church. These two Christian citizens were also banned from working at residential care facilities, which are their current occupation, for two years. Habib Haidari was sentenced to one year in prison.

Maryam Fallahi was sentenced to a fine of 80 million rials and permanently dismissed from government service due to her conversion to Christianity.

As reported by Article 18 website, this nurse, after 20 years of work at a hospital in Bushehr, is forced to leave her job due to her religious belief.

Habib Haidari was sentenced to one year in prison, Pouria Peima to 91 days in prison, Fateme Talebi to a fine of 40 million rials, and Marjan Fallahi to a fine of 60 million rials.

Hosein Ahmadi Niaz, an attorney, told “Article 18” about these sentences: “The basis of this ruling is the hatred and animosity of security agencies toward Christian converts. The judge had the discretion to apply mitigating circumstances from all aspects. Because mitigating circumstances exist in this case.”

Previously, the Bushehr Court of Appeals also upheld a ruling separating 22-month-old Lydia from Sam Khosravi and Maryam Fallahi, who had been her guardians since she was seven weeks old.

This is despite the judge acknowledging in his ruling that there is a “strong emotional bond” between the child and the Christian couple, Maryam Fallahi and Sam Khosravi, and that returning this ill child to an orphanage leaves an “uncertain future” ahead of her.

Source: Radio Farda