Five Iranian Christians were arrested by Intelligence Ministry (VEVAK) agents on 26 August at a picnic 90 miles east of Tehran.
Amin Afshar Naderi, Hadi Asgari, Amir Saman Dashti, Mohammad Dehnavi and Ramil Bet-Tamraz were arrested while picnicking with their wives in a private garden in Firouzkooh. In a comment to the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Mansour Borji, spokesperson for the Council of United Iranian Churches (HAM- GAAM), said that VEVAK agents also confiscated three Bibles and assaulted Amin Afshar Naderi after he asked whether they had a warrant to enter the private garden. He emphasised that ‘the arrested individuals were not conducting a religious meeting and had gathered only for a good time’.
The detainees are currently being held in Evin Prison in Tehran. Four are reported to be converts to Christianity.
Released on bail
Ramil Bet-Tamraz is the son of Victor Bet-Tamraz, a prominent Assyrian pastor and former leader of Shahr-Ara Pentecostal Church, who was arrested on Christmas Eve 2014 along with Mr Naderi and others, and was accused of illegally printing and distributing Bibles for missionary activities. According to Mr Borji both men were later released on bail.
