Arrest and Summons of Two Christian Believers in Anzali

On Monday, April 18, 2022, Rahmat Rastamipour, a Christian believer, was arrested by security forces at his private residence in Anzali. Azer, Mr. Rastamipour’s wife, was subsequently summoned on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, and after hours of interrogation, was temporarily released.

According to a report by Hrana news agency, citing Article 18, on the morning of Monday, April 18, 2022, Rahmat Rastamipour, a Christian believer, was arrested by security forces at his private residence in Anzali.

Based on this report, while 12 officers went to his residence at 8 AM on Monday morning to arrest Mr. Rastamipour, one of his children had a seizure, and as a result, the officers refrained from arresting his wife.

During the arrest, while searching the residence, the officers confiscated some of their personal belongings, including books related to Christian faith and the children’s tablet that was used for education and studying, and took them away.

Finally, after the arrest of Rahmat Rastamipour, his wife Azer was summoned on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, and after hours of interrogation, was temporarily released.

At the time of preparing this report, no precise information was available regarding the place of detention and the charges against Mr. Rastamipour; however, the charge brought against his wife during the interrogation was stated as “propaganda against the system through participation in an illegal house church group.”

Rahmat Rastamipour is 49 years old, a resident of Anzali, and father of two children.

It should be noted that although Christians are officially recognized as a religious minority under Iranian law, security agencies pursue the issue of Muslims converting to Christianity with particular sensitivity and take forceful action against activists in this field.

Source: Hrana