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 […]
US commission calls for Iranian Christians’ release after “new miscarriage of justice”
World Watch Monitor From left: Saheb Fadaie, Youcef Nadarkhani, Yasser Mossayebzadeh and Mohammad Reza Omidi. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has called for the “immediate and unconditional” release of an Iranian pastor and three of his church members, after they were taken to prison last week to serve 10 year sentences for “acting against national […]
Jail for Iranian pastor’s son found guilty of ‘acting against national security’
World Watch Monitor The son of an influential pastor silenced by the Iranian government has been handed a four-month jail sentence for his involvement with illegal house churches, World Watch Monitor has learnt. Ramil Bet Tamraz’s lawyers were informed of the sentence for “acting against national security” on 8th July. One of the friends with […]
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 Christian woman pleads with UN to help family overturn “false and unjust” spy charges
World Watch Monitor An Iranian Christian woman pleaded with the UN’s Human Rights Council this week to urge Iran to overturn “false and baseless charges” imposed on her father, mother and brother. Dabrina Bet-Tamraz’s parents and brother are appealing against lengthy jail sentences they have received for church-related activities. The appeal by her father, Victor […]
Temporary release for one Iranian Christian, court hearings for others
World Watch Monitor An Iranian Christian imprisoned last year for actions against national security has been granted “a few days” leave of absence, according to London-based advocacy organisation Article 18. Sevada Aghaser, a choir leader in an Armenian Orthodox church in the capital Tehran, is serving a five-year sentence in the capital’s notorious Evin Prison following […]
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 pastor’s wife joins husband in jail
World Watch Monitor Shamiram Isavi Khabizeh PICTURE: Article 18 The wife of an Iranian pastor sentenced to 10 years in jail has been given a five-year sentence of her own. Shamiram Isavi Khabizeh, the wife of Victor Bet-Tamraz, was convicted of “acting against national security and against the regime by organising small groups, attending a seminary […]
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, […]