"Hossein Shabani", a Christian citizen, accused of deviant propaganda contrary to Islam
"Hossein Shabani," a Christian citizen living in Karaj, was accused of deviant propaganda contrary to Islam.
According to published reports, Hossein Shabani (Yohanna), a Christian citizen living in Karaj and a member of a house church, was accused of "educational or deviant missionary activity contrary to the holy law of Islam by making false and untrue claims in religious areas."
He was summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence building in Karaj on January 8 and interrogated for three hours. A few days later, on January 16, he was summoned to Branch 2 of the Fardis Prosecutor's Office through the Sana system to defend the charges against him. On February 1, after referring to Branch 2 of the Fardis Prosecutor's Office, Mr. Shabani was informed of the charges and was temporarily released on bail of 300 million Tomans.
The charge brought against Youhana Shabani in her case is “educational or deviant propaganda activity that is contrary to or detrimental to the holy law of Islam by making false and untrue claims in religious and religious areas.” This charge is in accordance with the changes made to Article 500 of the Islamic Penal Code. According to this article, “committing any other deviant educational or propaganda activity that is contrary to or detrimental to the holy law of Islam in the real or virtual space, or creating psychological and physical dominance over a person in the form of a sect or any other organized criminal group, is considered a crime.”
The Islamic Republic government has sentenced many Christian citizens to prison on charges of "propaganda against the system," "actions against national security," "insulting sacred places," and many other false charges without providing any valid documents or evidence. Now, with changes to Article 500 of the Islamic Penal Code, it is imputing new charges to Christians that, due to their being found guilty, carry heavier sentences.
The United Nations Human Rights Council also issued a resolution condemning human rights violations by Iranian government officials and calling on the government of the Islamic Republic to eliminate, in law and practice, all forms of discrimination based on thought, conscience, religion, or belief, including the restrictions of Articles 499 and 500 of the Islamic Penal Code.
The situation of Hussein Shabani is still unclear with the new charges brought by the court and his temporary release on bail. Many Christian citizens are also in prison for false reasons, and even the news of their arrest or imprisonment has never been disclosed.
