Two Christian converts continue to be detained in Evin Prison
Majidreza Sozanchi Kashani and Fatemeh Mohammadi, two Christian converts living in Tehran, remain in detention indefinitely after more than 70 days.
According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, Majidreza Sozanchi and Fatemeh Mohammadi, two Christian converts living in Tehran who were arrested on November 17 last year by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence, are still being held in Evin Prison.
On November 17, 2018, after raiding the home of a Christian in the Tehran-Pars area of Tehran, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence arrested two Christian converts named "Majidreza (Davoud) Sozanchi Kashani" and "Fatemeh Mohammadi" and transferred them to Ward 209 of Evin Prison.
These two Tehran citizens were indicted at Branch 3 of the Evin Prosecutor's Office on charges of membership in missionary groups and missionary activity.
These two Christian converts were transferred to the general ward of Evin Prison last week after enduring two months of solitary confinement in Ward 209; Mr. Sozanchi is currently being held in Hall 2 of Andarzgah 4, and Ms. Mohammadi is being held in the women's ward of Evin Prison.
With the completion of the investigation and interrogation phase of the case, Mr. Sozanchi was issued a bail of 70 million Tomans, although there is no information about the proceedings and the status of the bail in Fatemeh Mohammadi's case.
The final defense hearing for these two Christian converts was held yesterday at Branch 3 of the Evin Prosecutor's Office.
A close friend of Mr. Sozanchi told HRANA: “There is no information about the progress of the case of Majid Reza (Davoud) Sozanchi and Fatemeh Mohammadi in the last defense hearing, and the judge in the case issued a bail of 70 million Tomans for Mr. Sozanchi after the court hearing, but given that he is unable to provide bail, he will be forced to be held in the general ward of the prison until the court is held.”
Over the past years, the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has been increasing pressure on Christian converts and religious minorities day by day; HRANA had previously published reports in February of this year about the continued detention of a Christian convert named "Ali Amini" in Tabriz Central Prison and the transfer of another Christian convert named "Naser Navord Gol-Tape" to serve a 10-year prison sentence in Evin Prison.
It should be noted that despite the fact that Christians are recognized as a religious minority by law, the security services follow the issue of Muslims converting to Christianity with particular sensitivity and deal with activists in this field with force.
Article 26 of the Constitution explicitly emphasizes the freedom of activity of religious minorities, stating: "Parties, associations, political and trade associations, and Islamic associations or recognized religious minorities are free, provided that they do not violate the principles of independence, freedom, national unity, Islamic standards, and the foundation of the Islamic Republic. No one may be prohibited from participating in them or forced to participate in any of them."
This is despite the fact that Hassan Rouhani has repeatedly emphasized the observance of citizens' rights in his slogans, both before and after the government was formed, and has also published a charter entitled "Citizens' Rights Charter" in this regard, but these slogans have so far remained just slogans!
Article 10 of the Charter of Civil Rights states: “Insulting, denigrating, or inciting hatred against ethnicities, followers of religions, sects, and various social and political groups is prohibited.”
Article 99 of this charter also states: “Citizens have the right to enjoy the necessary facilities to participate in their cultural life and to associate with other citizens, including in establishing organizations, associations, and holding religious and ethnic rituals and cultural customs in compliance with the laws.”
Source: HRANA
