Continued Religious Freedom Crackdowns in Iran; Mass Arrests of Christian Converts in Three Iranian Cities
Over the past several days, at least 12 Christian citizens have been arrested in Tehran, Karaj, and Malayir following raids on their homes by security forces.
The “Article 18” organization reported on Friday, July 4, that during Tuesday, July 1, and Wednesday, July 2, security personnel raided the homes of several Christian converts in the Yaft Abad area of Tehran and Karaj, arresting at least 9 people following house searches. According to the report, on Wednesday, July 2, at least 3 Christian converts were also arrested in the city of Malayir by security forces.
According to the report, on Tuesday, July 1, 10 security personnel raided a worship gathering in Yaft Abad, Tehran where 30 Christian citizens were present and interrogated those individuals. The security forces allegedly confiscated religious books and mobile phones of attendees, filmed those present, and some were subjected to beatings. At least six people named “Joseph Shahbazian,” “Reza N.,” “Salar A.,” “Mina Kh.,” “Maryam Kh.,” and another individual named “Sonia” were arrested.
According to the “Article 18” organization’s report, security personnel forced those present at the gathering to sign a document confirming that no “mistreatment” had occurred.
It should be noted that the report did not specify which prisons or detention centers these individuals were transferred to following their arrest.
Meanwhile, according to the organization’s report, the identities of those arrested in the city of Karaj were also listed as “Farhad M.,” “Arash R.,” and “Farhad Kh.,” with bail set at 50 million tomans for each of two of these detainees. The identities of the Christian converts arrested in Malayir were also listed as “Sohrab A.,” “Ebrahim A.,” and an individual named “Yasir,” who according to available information were temporarily released on Thursday, July 3, after posting bail of 30 million tomans each.
This is not the first time the Islamic Republic has dealt with Christian converts violently. Previously, Voice of America had reported in multiple accounts that some of these citizens were arrested by security forces and sentenced to lengthy prison sentences.
