(Article18) — The grave of the only Iranian Christian to have been executed on official charges of apostasy has been demolished. The body of Hussein Soodmand was buried on the edge of the Beheshte-Reza cemetery in Mashhad after his execution nearly 30 years ago, in December 1990. In all the years since, the only sign […]
(Article18) — Ismaeil Maghrebinejad, a 65-year-old convert to Christianity, has been sentenced to three years in prison for “insulting Islamic sacred beliefs”. He was sentenced under Article 513 of the Islamic Penal Code, which provides for a punishment of between one and five years in prison. His sentencing, on Jan. 11, followed a court hearing […]
(Article 18) — Iranian Christians continued to suffer multiple violations of their right to freedom of religion in 2019, Article18’s latest annual report reveals. The report, a collaboration with Open Doors International, CSW and Middle East Concern, names 25 Christians arrested in 2019 and 13 Christians who received sentences of between four months and five years […]
(Barnabas Fund) — Pastor’s son Ramiel Bet Tamraz was summoned to Iran’s Evin Prison, notorious for its harsh conditions, on 7 January to begin a jail sentence for “acting against national security.” The 35-year-old was given a four-month sentence, although the one month he has already spent in detention will be deducted from the time […]
(Fox News) — On New Year’s Day, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei taunted Donald Trump on his favorite platform, Twitter, after the President vowed Iran would be held “fully responsible” for any lives lost at U.S. facilities abroad. “You can’t do anything,” Khamenei boldly declared. Less than 48 hours later, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head […]
(International Christian Concern) – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on Dec. 19, 2019, the United States issued financial sanctions against two Iranian judges complicit in violating the human rights of Iranians. One of these judges, Mohammad Moghisseh, has a long record of specifically violating the rights of Iran’s Christian minority. “Through their respective […]
(Morning Star News) – A Christian in Iran convicted of conducting evangelistic activities began a mandated two years in exile this month in a remote area on the border with Pakistan, sources said. As part of a larger prison sentence delivered in 2013, Ebrahim Firoozi, 33, was sentenced to two years in exile in Sarbaz, […]
Iran (Church in Chains) — Ebrahim Firouzi, 33, was released from Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj on Saturday, near the end of a five-year sentence. He had also spent time in prison previously on charges relating to his Christian activities. Ebrahim must now serve two years’ internal exile in the remote southeastern town of Sarbaz […]
(International Christian Concern) – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on September 22, 2018, Iran’s judiciary affirmed the jail sentences of two Christians. The verdict wrote that believing in the Bible’s authority and Jesus as Lord are attacks against Islam. Saheb Fadaie was sentenced to 18 months and Fatemeh Bakhteri to 12 months in […]