Summoning brothers from Menani to endure imprisonment, persecution, and imprisonment for the crime of Christian faith

In the current situation in Iran, the government of the Islamic Republic has not stopped persecuting Christians and has summoned two brothers to face imprisonment for their faith.

According to the latest information from the judicial investigation into the case of two Christian citizens, "Mansour and Mahmoud Mardani," who were convicted in November 1403 on charges of "deviant educational and propaganda activities contrary to the holy law of Islam," they were introduced to Isfahan Prison to serve their sentence and sent to prison.

In this verdict, each of them was sentenced to four years in prison, a fine of 150 million tomans, deprivation of social rights for five years, and forced residence in another city. In addition, the judge in the case banned them from residing in Isfahan province.

The verdict was issued under Article 500 of the Islamic Penal Code. They were initially charged with “acting against national security,” but this charge was later dismissed and the court moved on to consider charges of “propaganda contrary to Islamic law.”

The two citizens, along with about ten others, were arrested while they were celebrating Christmas in a house church in Foladshahr, Isfahan, but only Mansour and Mahmoud were arrested and later convicted.

During security clashes, Christian holy books were confiscated from their homes and used as "incriminating evidence" against them, including accusations that have been repeated in many similar cases involving the arrest of Christians.

According to international reports and human rights organizations, similar cases against Christian citizens in Iran are on the rise, and the situation of this religious minority has worsened in recent years. Iranian courts have handed down long prison sentences and suspension of social rights to Christians for participating in prayer meetings and house churches, teaching, or distributing holy books, even without reliable documentation and often on vague charges of “propaganda against Islamic law.”

In numerous cases, appeals courts have upheld prison sentences against Christians, and in some cases, harsh sentences of more than eight years in prison have been handed down for religious activities.

Reports indicate that courts are even interpreting online protests, virtual religious instruction, and participation in house church meetings as “propaganda against Islamic law” and ruling against the defendants.

Prominent human rights groups have also confirmed a sixfold increase in prison sentences for Christians in recent years; in one report, more than 96 Christians were sentenced to 263 years in prison collectively, a significant increase from the previous year.

Meanwhile, there have been repeated reports that Iranian Christians have been arrested or re-arrested after serving a prison sentence, or have been pressured to remain silent and leave the country.

Furthermore, human rights news reports and independent analysis by critics indicate that freedom of worship and attendance at religious ceremonies, especially for groups that have changed their religion from Islam to Christianity, is virtually nonexistent, and any domestic or social activity related to the Christian faith is frequently targeted for persecution.

The case of Mansour and Mahmoud Mardani is emblematic of the systematic violation of freedom of belief and religion in Iran, where the government criminalizes the practice of faith and participation in Christian ceremonies and imposes severe penalties. This issue is not limited to these two citizens, but is part of a broader trend in Iran in which Christians and other religious minorities face vague and discriminatory charges before the judicial and security apparatus.