Mass arrests of Christian citizens, security charges or ideological repression

A statement from the Ministry of Intelligence reports an increase in the arrest of Christian citizens on security charges.

Following the recent war and increased pressure, the Ministry of Intelligence announced the arrest of 53 Christian citizens. Legal experts describe the action as baseless, illegal, and based on the suppression of religious beliefs.

The Ministry of Intelligence announced in a statement that dozens of citizens, including 53 Christians, have been arrested on charges of being associated with the “Zionist evangelical movement.” These individuals have been accused of anti-security activities and collaborating with foreign entities.

The statement reads: "While, as history shows, Iranian Christians have always had the best coexistence with their Muslim compatriots, have been loyal supporters of Iran, and have sacrificed numerous martyrs in defense of the country, the Zionist regime also targeted this sacred unity. A branch of Mossad mercenaries, under the guise of the so-called evangelization (promotion) of Zionist Christianity, connected to the Seattle Church of Salvation and the Blooming Church in the occupied territory, also undertook various anti-security measures at that time. In this regard, by fully identifying and arresting 53 elements trained abroad, inspecting their organizational sites, and discovering quantities of weapons, the movements of this organization were also neutralized."

In response to the statement by the Ministry of Intelligence, human rights lawyer Hossein Ahmadiniaz said that the allegations lacked any legal basis and emphasized that Christian citizens have always followed peaceful methods. According to him, the security apparatus of the Islamic Republic is taking advantage of the recent war atmosphere to project and suppress more severely.

Also, according to reports published by sources close to the detainees in 19 cities, their confiscated property mostly includes Bibles and personal belongings. These arrests have taken place while many of these people are denied access to lawyers and are subject to threats, harsh interrogations, and serious charges.

Lawyers have also warned about the detention of these citizens, saying that the new law on the punishment of spies, with its vague and non-transparent definitions, has paved the way for further repression of ideological activists. They have called for independent international institutions to monitor the trial of these individuals.