Ibrahim Firouzi, Christian Convert, Summoned to Rasik Prosecutor’s Office

Ibrahim Firouzi, an exiled Christian convert in Rasik city located in Sistan and Baluchestan province, has been summoned to the general and revolutionary prosecutor’s office of this city through a subpoena. In this notice, he has been required to appear within 5 days from the date of notification at the Rasik prosecutor’s office to defend himself against charges of “propaganda activities against the system.”

According to Hrana news agency, the news organ of human rights activists in Iran, Ibrahim Firouzi, an exiled Christian convert in Rasik city located in Sistan and Baluchestan province, has been summoned to the prosecutor’s office of this city through a subpoena.

In this notice, which was served to Mr. Firouzi on Saturday, September 27, he has been required to appear within 5 days from the date of notification to defend himself against the charge of “propaganda activities against the system” at the general and revolutionary prosecutor’s office of Rasik city.

Ibrahim Firouzi was arrested on March 9, 2013 by security forces and taken to Evin Prison. He was sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Rajai Shahr to 1 year of imprisonment and 2 years of exile to Rasik city in Sistan and Baluchestan province for the charge of “propaganda activities against the system through holding religious classes.” Mr. Firouzi was arrested again on September 16, 2013 and transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison. In April 2015, he was convicted by Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mohammad Maghissah, of “forming a group with the intent to undermine the country’s security” under Article 498 of the Penal Code, to 5 years of imprisonment. This sentence was ultimately upheld by the Appeals Court, which was formed on January 15, 2017.

This Christian convert was deprived of access to medical services and furlough during his imprisonment. Prison authorities also refused to grant him leave following his mother’s death in December 2018. Mr. Firouzi was finally released from Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj on October 25, 2019, at the end of his 5-year sentence.

Mr. Firouzi reported to Rasik city on December 1, 2019, after 7 years in prison, to serve his exile period and introduced himself.

His exile sentence was extended again in May of this year due to what was called “absence” or “abandonment of mandatory residence,” by Branch 24 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mohammad Reza Amouzad, to an additional 8 months of exile to Sarbaraz city. It should be noted that three months of his exile has been counted as absence, and a total of 11 months has been added to his exile.

Ibrahim Firouzi has a previous history of arrest and conviction due to his beliefs. He is a 35-year-old lathe worker, resident of Rajai Shahr, who was first arrested for Christian propagation activities after being summoned twice by security institutions in December 2009 and transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj. In this case, he was sentenced by the Karaj Revolutionary Court to 5 months of imprisonment and 5 months of suspended sentence.

Source: Hrana