Morgan Ortagus Condemns Execution of 80 Lashes Against Iranian Christian Convert
The U.S. State Department spokesperson condemned Iran’s implementation of an 80-lash sentence against an Iranian Christian convert on the pretext of his drinking wine during the religious ceremony of “Communion” (Eucharist).
Morgan Ortagus wrote on Twitter on Friday, October 16: “We are deeply troubled by reports of Iran’s action in administering 80 lashes to Mohammadreza Omidi for drinking communion wine. He was previously imprisoned for two years for his membership in a house church. We condemn these unjust punishments and call on Iran to allow all Iranians to freely practice their [religious] beliefs.”
According to reports by some human rights news agencies, the 80-lash sentence for Mohammadreza (Youhan) Omidi, a Christian convert from Rasht who was sentenced in September 2017 on charges of “consuming alcohol” during communion sessions, was carried out on the morning of Wednesday, October 15 at the Rasht prosecutor’s office.
This Christian convert was arrested on April 14, 2016 during a ceremony held at a private residence in Rasht by security forces and was temporarily released on bail pending the completion of legal proceedings. He was ultimately arrested in August 2018 to serve his sentence in Rasht city and was transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran.
This Christian convert was sentenced in June 2016 along with Yousef Nadarkhani, Yaser Moseibzadeh, and Saheb Fadaie by Branch 26 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court on charges of “establishing a house church” and “promoting Christianity” to ten years in prison. This sentence was changed in early June of this year, following acceptance of a retrial request, to two years imprisonment and two years exile to Borazjan city in Bushehr province.
Mohammadreza (Youhan) Omidi was released from Evin Prison in late June of this year. After one month, he left for Borazjan to serve his two-year exile sentence and is currently serving his exile period.
Previously, Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State, unveiled in late June of this year America’s annual report on religious freedom in the world, with 33 pages dedicated to the status of religious freedom in Iran; a report stating that the Islamic Republic continued in 2019 to persecute, interrogate, and arrest Bahais, non-Armenian Christians – particularly those who have converted to Christianity (converts) – Sunni Muslims, and other religious minorities.
The U.S. State Department’s report stated that the United States does not have diplomatic relations with Iran and therefore has not had an opportunity to raise concerns about violations of religious freedoms and related restrictions in bilateral meetings, and the U.S. government continues to call on the Islamic Republic to respect religious freedom.
Source: Voice of America
