Summoning of Mardani Brothers to Serve Prison Sentences for Christian Faith

In the current situation in Iran, the Islamic Republic government has not ceased its harassment of Christians, summoning two brothers, the Mardanis, to serve prison sentences for their religious faith.

According to the latest information regarding the judicial proceedings of two Christian citizens, “Mansour and Mahmoud Mardani,” who were convicted in November 2024 on charges of “deviant educational and propagandistic activities contrary to the sacred Islamic law,” they have been transferred to Isfahan Prison to serve their sentences.

Under this verdict, each has been sentenced to four years of imprisonment, a fine of 150 million tomans, deprivation of social rights for five years, and mandatory residence in another city. The judge hearing the case has additionally banned their residence in Isfahan Province.

This verdict was issued pursuant to Article 500 Repeated of the Islamic Penal Code. They were initially charged with “actions against national security,” but this charge was later dismissed and the court proceeded to examine charges of “propaganda contrary to Islamic law.”

These two citizens, along with approximately ten others, were arrested while gathering for a Christmas celebration at a house church in Fooladshahr, Isfahan, though only Mansour and Mahmoud were detained and subsequently convicted.

During security operations, Christian holy books were confiscated from their homes and used as “evidence” against them, charges that have been repeated in many similar cases of Christian detentions.

According to international reports and human rights organizations, similar cases involving Christian citizens in Iran are increasing, and the situation of this religious minority has worsened in recent years. Iranian courts have issued lengthy prison sentences and revoked social rights for Christians for participating in prayer meetings and house churches, teaching, or distributing holy books, often without credible evidence and frequently on vague charges of “propaganda against Islamic law.”

In multiple cases, appeals courts have upheld prison sentences against Christians, and in some instances, severe sentences of more than eight years imprisonment for religious activities have been issued.

Reports indicate that courts interpret even online protests, religious teachings in cyberspace, and participation in house church meetings as “propaganda against Islamic law” and issue verdicts against defendants.

Prominent human rights groups have confirmed a sixfold increase in prison sentences for Christians in recent years; in one report, over 96 Christians were sentenced to a combined 263 years in prison, a substantial increase compared to the previous year.

Meanwhile, it has been repeatedly reported that Iranian Christians have been re-arrested following detention or after serving their sentences, or have faced pressure to remain silent and leave the country.

Furthermore, human rights news reports and independent analyses by critics indicate that religious freedom and participation in religious ceremonies, particularly for groups that have converted from Islam to Christianity, effectively do not exist, and any activity related to Christian faith, whether domestic or social, is frequently targeted for persecution.

The case of Mansour and Mahmoud Mardani is symbolic of systematic violations of freedom of conscience and religion in Iran; a government that criminalizes the practice of faith and participation in Christian ceremonies and imposes severe penalties for doing so. This issue is not limited to these two citizens alone, but is part of a broader process in Iran in which Christians and other religious minorities face the judicial and security apparatus with vague and discriminatory charges.