Arrest of ‘Leida Alkasani,’ Wife of ‘Joseph Shahbazian’
‘Leida Alkasani,’ wife of ‘Joseph Shahbazian,’ a Christian imprisoned in Evin Prison, has been arrested.
Reports released on April 29, corresponding to April 19, indicate that Joseph Shahbazian’s wife was arrested on April 14.
On April 14 of the current year (1404), intelligence ministry agents, accompanied by a female officer, raided the home of this Armenian couple. The raid on their residence occurred while three months had passed since Joseph Shahbazian’s imprisonment in Evin Prison. After searching their home, the officers confiscated their personal belongings and then arrested his wife, Leida Alkasani, transferring her to Evin Prison.
Her arrest took place one day before the funeral ceremony of Joseph Shahbazian’s mother (Jasmine), while they were preparing for the ceremony. Leida’s arrest at this sensitive time has added emotional and psychological pressure on the family.
Joseph Shahbazian previously served one year in prison due to peaceful religious activities and was arrested again in December 2024 by intelligence ministry agents. Although three months have passed since his arrest and a bail of 499 million tomans has been set for him, he remains in temporary detention. It should be noted that Joseph Shahbazian was held for approximately two months in solitary confinement in Ward 209 of Evin Prison and was subsequently transferred to Ward 4.
The charges against him include ‘propaganda against the system,’ ‘propagandistic activity contrary to the sanctity of Islamic law through the establishment and operation of a house church,’ and ‘unlawful acquisition of funds through receiving tithes and gifts.’ Joseph Shahbazian has rejected these charges, declaring them baseless and lacking legal documentation. He is also denied access to his chosen lawyer.
After arresting Mr. Shahbazian, security agents attempted to contact his friends in order to build a case against him. One of these individuals described the agents’ contact: ‘They tried to coerce us through temptation or threats to cooperate. They wanted us to make false statements against brother Joseph so they could build a case against him. The interrogator threatened that if we did not cooperate, they would resume unfinished investigations against us.’
The suppressions, crimes, harassment, persecution, detention, torture, and harsh sentences by the Islamic Republic are endless, and to maintain power, it uses pressure, threats, force, false charges—particularly psychological and political pressure—against prisoners of conscience and political prisoners and their families.
‘David Smith,’ the UK Special Envoy for Religious Freedom and Belief, also stated in his report on Christian organizations regarding the situation of Christians in Iran to the British Parliament: ‘There are few countries in the world that are deprived of religious freedom to the extent of the Islamic Republic of Iran.’
