“Staggering” number of Christians arrested in Iran – 114 in a week
World Watch Monitor More than 100 Christians have been arrested in Iran in the past week and nearly 150 in the past month, as part of the government’s attempt to “warn” Christians against proselytising over Christmas, according to the advocacy director of religious freedom charity Article 18. Mansour Borji called the number of arrests – […]
Amnesty launches writing campaign for release of four Iranian Christians
World Watch Monitor Amnesty International has launched an ‘urgent action’ calling for the release of four Iranians sentenced to a combined total of 45 years in prison “solely for practising their Christian faith”. Its report calls for urgent action from the Iranian government to “quash the convictions and sentences of Victor Bet-Tamraz, Shamiram Isavi, Amin Afshar-Naderi, and […]
Iranian Christian released by ‘courageous’ judge
World Watch Monitor An Iranian Christian has been released from prison after being arrested in April for “propaganda against the [Iranian] establishment”, Middle East Concern has reported. Mohammad Ali Yassaghi was kept in Babol Prison in the capital of Mazandaran Province in northern Iran. He is a member of the self-styled Church of Iran, which has a […]
Iranian Christians’ jail terms upheld
World Watch Monitor An appeal court in Iran has upheld the 10 year prison sentences handed down to four Christians for “promoting Zionist Christianity” and running house churches. Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, Yasser Mossayebzadeh, Saheb Fadaie and Mohammad Reza Omidi received notification from the court through their lawyer on 2nd May, said Middle East Concern. From left: […]
Iranian Christian convert detained since before Christmas
World Watch Monitor Ali Amini, also known as Philip. PICTURE: Article 18 An Iranian convert to Christianity arrested more than two months ago remains in prison in the conservative north-western city of Tabriz, according to rights group Article 18. Ali Amini, known by his friends as Philip, was arrested by revolutionary guards at his workshop in […]
Iranian Christian released on bail after three week hunger strike
World Watch Monitor An Iranian Christian sentenced to 15 years in jail has been released on bail, three weeks after writing an open letter to the authorities, asking what he had done to “make you hate me this much” and declaring that he had decided to “terminate my life slowly” through a hunger strike. Amin Afshar-Naderi, […]
More Christians imprisoned in Iran – lengthy sentences for Iranian pastor and two converts
World Watch Monitor An Iranian church leader and two men who converted from Islam to Christianity have received lengthy jail sentences for offences relating to evangelism and acting against national security. The defendants were not in Tehran’s Revolutionary Court when the sentences were read out on 4th July, but their lawyer was present and will […]
Imprisoned Iranian Christians end hunger strike
World Watch Monitor Two imprisoned Iranian Christians have ended their hunger strike after being promised medical care and progress in their case. Amin Afshar Naderi and Hadi Asgari, both of whom had reportedly suffered ill health and been refused medical treatment, have been in prison since August last year but have yet to be charged […]
Imprisoned Iranian convert ‘seriously ill’ after hunger strike
World Watch Monitor An Iranian convert to Christianity imprisoned since August has reportedly fallen seriously ill after going on a hunger strike. Amin Afshar Naderi went on hunger strike with his fellow detainee Hadi Asgari, who is also said to have suffered recent ill health and been refused medical treatment. They are the two remaining […]