Iran Christians detained; church leaders await outcome of appeal
BosNewsLife Iranian Christians are concerned about the plight of eight prominent church workers who they say face lengthy prison terms and torture following an appeal hearing and further detentions this week. Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, Mohammadreza Omidi, Yasser Mossayebzadeh, and Saheb Fadaie are appealing 10 year prison sentences received for their involvement in house churches and allegedly promoting “Zionist […]
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 […]
Sudan churches risk letter to government on ‘systematic violations’, including church demolition
World Watch Monitor The Sudanese Church of Christ (SCOC) has written an open letter to the Khartoum government protesting “the systematic violation of Christian religious freedoms”, including the recent demolition of one of their churches in the Suba area of the capital, Khartoum. The SCOC represents about 220,000 of about two million Christians in Sudan, […]
MIDDLE EAST: HALF OF SYRIA AND IRAQ’S CHRISTIANS HAVE LEFT SINCE 2011, SAYS REPORT
World Watch Monitor looks at a new report on ongoing trend for Christians to leave the Middle Eastern nations of Syria and Iraq…
Second church in 10 days torn down in Sudan
World Watch Monitor A Sudan Church of Christ (SCOC) building has been demolished in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, 10 days after the destruction of another SCOC building in nearby Soba, 19 kilometres south of the city. Christian charity Middle East Concern (MEC) reports that the second demolition took place on 17th May in Khartoum’s Algadisia district. The Algadisia church […]
Iranian mother and son Christian converts arrested
World Watch Monitor An Iranian mother and son who converted to Christianity have been arrested in the north-western province of West Azerbaijan. Anousheh Reza-Bakhsh (known as Veronika) and her son Soheil (known as Augustine) were arrested on 20th February at their home in Urmia, the provincial capital. Mohabat News reports that it is the first known […]
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 […]
Iranian rights groups decry treatment of Christians
World Watch Monitor Iranian and European human rights and religious rights organisations have urged the international community to use new opportunities for trade with Iran to hold the government there to account over its treatment of Christian converts. Nineteen NGOs, including Middle East Concern, Forum 18, Impact Iran and Justice for Iran, issued a joint […]
Iran allows Azerbaijani Christians home on ‘conditional’ release
World Watch Monitor Three Azerbaijani Christians, accused by Iran of “missionary activities”, were allowed to go home on Sunday, 6th November, after more than four months in prison, Middle East Concern (MEC) said. Eldar Gurbanov, 48, Yusif Farhadov, 51, Bahram Nasibov, 37, and an Iranian, Naser Navard Gol-Tapeh, have been released from prison, and the Azerbaijanis are able […]