Family Arrests of Christian Converts in Iran

Ehsan.sh, FCN News Agency: Islamic Republic authorities, in response to the growing tendency of Iranians and particularly young people in this land toward Christianity, have intensified their arrests and harassment of Christian converts, subjecting them to continuous torture and persecution. In recent months, the regime’s policy has shifted toward family arrests. According to FCN News Agency reports, in line with these policies, 50 Christian converts have been arrested in this manner over the past two months.

A number of detainees in Kerman, who are now released on bail, have stated that most detainees are subjected to pressure and psychological torture for participation in televised interviews and forced false confessions.

The regime’s authorities force them to introduce themselves in televised interviews as being affiliated with foreign media outlets and Christian organizations outside the country, so that false accusations can be leveled against them.

A large number of converts face consecutive arrests. Over the past decade, many have been repeatedly charged and detained.

The arrest of 25 Christian converts in Kerman is one such case.

These citizens were arrested in Kerman simultaneously on the 5th of Mehr in the current year.

According to FCN News Agency reports, some of them were charged along with their spouses and children. It is said that no legal ruling regarding them has been announced yet, and they remain in a state of uncertainty.

Ahmad Sepahri and his wife Hamideh Mohaddeth are among the detainees.

Sepahri is a teacher of reed flute and calligraphy in Kerman and has been commended many times.

It is said that members of Professor Sepahri’s family and his wife have converted to Jesus Christ and have participated in family worship together, and have had no connection to any church or organization outside the country.

This Christian family was previously detained for one day in Tir month of 1387 (2008) while attempting to leave the country for Armenia, and intelligence ministry officials confiscated his books and personal belongings during a search of his home.

The second arrest of this Christian family, who reportedly have no affiliation with any church or organization outside the country, occurred in Mehr month. Intelligence ministry officials entered his home at 7 a.m. on the 5th of Mehr with an order for action against national security and arrested him along with his wife.

These arrests took place simultaneously in three cities—Kerman, Sirjan, and Rafsanjan—affecting Christian converts. Some of these individuals were released on bail or through guarantees and were threatened not to send any information outside the country. As a result, all their contacts outside the country are placed under threat and strict control by regime authorities.

Moreover, Islamic Republic authorities are also pursuing the destruction of churches.

The destruction of Kerman’s only church is one such case. This church was built in 1320 (solar calendar) by renowned Kerman architect “Ali Mohammad Ravori” outside the boundaries of Kerman city, but later came to be located in the center of Kerman as the city expanded.

This church was confiscated years ago, and later part of it was allocated as a residence for the prosecutor at the time, while its hall was used as a place for raising cattle and sheep belonging to the prosecutor. At that time, the Kerman Bidari newspaper began reporting on this by publishing photos of the church hall filled with livestock, but fell silent following threats from certain officials. Following this, most Christians in Kerman left the city in protest, and the follow-up work of journalists resulted in this site being registered on the national heritage list.

However, ultimately and suddenly, in one night in 1390 (2011), the church was razed to the ground by a bulldozer. It is said that a large commercial complex belonging to one of the organizations is planned to be built on this land.

According to FCN News Agency reports, Iran was ranked as the ninth most Christian-hostile country in 2015. Nevertheless, despite the torture, harassment, and persecution inflicted by the Iranian regime on Christians, the church in Iran continues to grow and remains alive.

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