Increased Pressure on Christian Converts in Iran
In recent weeks, additional cases of arrest and security forces’ confrontations by the Islamic Republic with Christians participating in house churches have been reported. Most arrests have been mentioned in Tehran, Karaj, and Shiraz.
It is reported that Priest Youssef Nadarkhani and his wife were released following a temporary detention on the same day after Islamic Republic intelligence officers raided their home in Rasht.
The Christian Solidarity Worldwide website wrote, citing its sources, that the raid on Nadarkhani’s home is reported to be part of a series of incidents that targeted approximately 10 Christian homes.
The report added that three other Christians who were also arrested on Friday remain in detention.
The aforementioned Christian website continued that it has learned that “Yasser Mosibzadeh” was arrested during the raid on Priest Nadarkhani’s home, and officials of the Islamic Republic’s Ministry of Intelligence summoned “Saheb Fedayee” and “Mohammad Reza Omidi” by phone to their offices before raiding their homes.
This pro-Christian website added that it has been reported that Bibles, computers, and their mobile phones have been confiscated.
The report noted that this is not the first time these individuals have been arrested, and then described cases of their arrest, imprisonment, and sentences issued against them over the past years.
According to reports, Christian converts in the Islamic Republic are threatened and intimidated on the charge of apostasy.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide website concluded its report by citing its executive director “Marvin Thomas,” saying that while they have found some reassurance regarding the release of Priest and Mrs. Nadarkhani, they remain deeply concerned about the situation of Yasser Mosibzadeh, Saheb Fedayee, and Mohammad Reza Omidi, who remain in detention.
He added that the government should be held accountable for the harassment and persecution of Iran’s Christian community, particularly the continuous raids on homes and repeated unfounded arrests, and continued that they still demand that the Islamic Republic fully respect its commitments to its own constitution and international human rights law by ensuring justice and equality before the law for all citizens regardless of their religion or beliefs.
Source: Radio Farda
