Christian Pastor Behnam Irani Released from Prison After Six Years

Hrana News Agency – Minutes ago, Christian prisoner Pastor Behnam Irani was released from Karaj Central Prison after serving a six-year sentence.

According to Hrana News Agency, the news organ of the Iranian Human Rights Activists Network, on Monday, October 17, 2016, Pastor Behnam Irani was released from Karaj Prison after serving 6 years of imprisonment.

Behnam Irani was arrested in 2006 for his church activities, charged with holding prayer and worship ceremonies in his home and Christian evangelism, and spent several months in detention before being released on bail.

On February 24, 2008, Branch 30 of the Tehran Court of Appeals sentenced him to five years of suspended imprisonment on the charge of “acting against national security.”

Security forces later raided his home in Karaj on April 15, 2010, and detained him through mistreatment and beating.

This time, the court sentenced Behnam Irani to one year of imprisonment on the charge of “propaganda against the system,” and as a result, his previous five-year suspended sentence was enforced.

Mr. Irani spent most of his imprisonment in Karaj Central Prison. Upon his release, he was welcomed by his family and friends.

Source: Hrana