New UK Guidelines for Asylum Recognize ‘Real Risk’ of Persecution for ‘Ordinary’ Iranian Christians

New UK Guidelines for Asylum Recognize ‘Real Risk’ of Persecution for ‘Ordinary’ Iranian Christians

(Article18) — The UK’s new guidelines for asylum cases involving Iranian Christian converts acknowledge there is a “real risk” of persecution for “ordinary” Christians in Iran, and not just leaders or those with a “particularly evangelical zeal.” The guidelines have been updated to reflect the findings of a November court hearing for an Iranian referred […]

Iranian Christian’s Exile Extended by 11 Months

Iranian Christian’s Exile Extended by 11 Months

(Article18) — A Christian convert serving two years in internal exile in a remote southeastern Iranian city has had his exile extended for a further 11 months due to alleged unauthorized leave of absence. Ebrahim Firouzi, who is 34, began his exile on Nov. 12, just two weeks after returning home from six years in […]

Iranian Christian Sentenced to Two More Years in Prison Over ‘Evangelical Zionist Christianity’ Church Membership

Iranian Christian Sentenced to Two More Years in Prison Over ‘Evangelical Zionist Christianity’ Church Membership

(Article18) — Christian convert Ismaeil Maghrebinejad has been sentenced to an additional two years in prison. The 65-year-old was sentenced in January to three years in prison for “insulting Islamic sacred beliefs.” Now, following a court hearing on Feb. 27, he has been sentenced to an additional two years in prison for “membership of a […]

Iranian Christian Fatemeh Mohammadi Allowed Release on Bail, Hearing Set for March 2

Iranian Christian Fatemeh Mohammadi Allowed Release on Bail, Hearing Set for March 2

(Middle East Concern) — Iranian Christians are pleased that Christian convert Mary (Fatemeh) Mohammadi has been released conditionally from Qarchak women’s prison in Varamin. Mary, 21, was arrested on Jan. 12 near Azadi Square in Tehran while protests were underway following the downing Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of […]

Coronavirus Concerns for Iranian Christians at Home and in Prison

Coronavirus Concerns for Iranian Christians at Home and in Prison

(Article18) — There are growing concerns in Iran about the potential for coronavirus to spread quickly within Iran’s overcrowded prisons, where at least 17 Christians are currently incarcerated as a result of the peaceful practice of their faith. There have already been reports of infections in at least three prisons within the country. IranWire reported […]

‘My Fear Is that We’re Too Quiet,’ Say Iranian Christian Survivors of Persecution

‘My Fear Is that We’re Too Quiet,’ Say Iranian Christian Survivors of Persecution

(Article18) — Three Christian women survivors of persecution in Iran have called upon the international community to make more noise on behalf of persecuted Christians in Iran. “My fear is that we’re too quiet,” said Dabrina Bet-Tamraz, whose brother, Ramiel, is currently in prison in Tehran because of his Christian evangelism, and whose father, Victor, […]

Three Iranian Christians Granted Early Release from Prison

Three Iranian Christians Granted Early Release from Prison

(Article18) — Three Iranian Christian converts have been granted early release from prison, reports Middle East Concern. Asghar Salehi was released from Eqlid Prison yesterday after serving two months of his six-month sentence. Mohammad Reza Rezaei and a third convert known only as “A.T.” are due to be released on Saturday. Article18’s Advocacy Director, Mansour […]