Trial of Christian Citizens Under the Pretext of ‘Threatening National Security’
Christian citizens in Iran are being subjected to unjust trials under the charge of “threatening national security.”
New converts to Christianity, or so-called informal Christians in Iran, are increasing daily, and the number of individuals converting to Jesus Christ is expanding. Iranian authorities have also increased arbitrary arrest and detention orders against believers in this regard. The detention of Christians since 2005 has increased compared to previous decades, and has intensified significantly since 2009 onwards.
Detained believers have been formally accused by judicial authorities of various charges and subsequently tried. Recently, we have witnessed the detention of Christians who have been tortured to extract confessions, and in some cases, they have faced threats including long-term imprisonment sentences, torture, arrest of family members, or even execution on charges of apostasy.
Some time ago, Mehdi Akbari also declared in a letter written from Evin Prison: “I do not know what connection worshipping God has with taking action against national security.” He too had been accused and tried on charges of acting against national security.
Given that Iran is one of the signatories to the international covenant on freedom of expression and belief, it considers those who convert to Christianity as apostates and regards their actions as an insult to sacred values. In many cases, instead of identifying believing individuals as ideological defendants, due to fear of negative international consequences, they are tried under the designation of political and security defendants. For this reason, the trial of Christians and informal believers in revolutionary courts, under the charge of political criminals or action against national security, is more prevalent.
The accusations that Christian believers face include: “propaganda against the system,” “action against national security,” “connection with hostile foreign countries,” “contact with anti-system groups,” and “collusion with hostile foreign states.” The evidence used against them includes: “Christian evangelism,” “hosting prayer ceremonies,” “attendance at Christian conferences,” “distribution of the Bible,” “house church meetings,” and similar activities.
It is worth noting that recently, agents of the Islamic Republic system have increased raids on house churches and, through violent acts, prevent the formation of these churches. Recently, there have even been reports of warnings issued to Christian believers against attending church services in person or online, and if encountered, Christians will be arrested on various security charges.
The aforementioned actions are taking place while the right to freedom of expression for Christians in Iran is guaranteed by international law and Article 24 of Iran’s Constitution, yet these rights are being violated every day.
