On 10 September, three Iranian Christian converts were charged with ‘acting against national security’ and illegal consumption of alcohol during Communion.
Non-Muslims are permitted to drink alcohol in Iran, but leaving Islam is forbidden, so any such conversions are not recognised.
Yasser Mossayebzadeh, Saheb Fadaie and Mohammad Reza Omidi – all from Muslim backgrounds – were charged at a court hearing in the northern city of Rasht. If found guilty, they are likely to be flogged. In 2012, Omidi was one of four Christians given 80 lashes after being convicted of the same charge.
Mossayebzadeh, Fadaie and Omidi were arrested on 13 May alongside Youcef Nadarkhani, a pastor once sentenced to death for apostasy, and his wife, Tina. The couple were released later that day, but the three others were detained.
Campaign against house churches
Middle East Concern’s Rob Duncan said that at least 43 Christians were arrested in August alone. ‘The Iranian regime is conducting a very active campaign against house churches at the moment and leaders of house churches are harassed and put under pressure,’ he said.
