Christian convert in Iran sentenced to 15 years in prison

Several Christians in Iran have been sentenced to prison terms for their Christian activities, including one who was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

In Iran, a Christian convert was sentenced to 15 years in prison for “endangering national security and promoting Zionist Christianity.”

Yasin Mousavi, from Izeh, southwest of the capital Tehran, was accused of two “crimes”. The first is “membership in disruptive groups,” which focuses on one’s involvement in a Christian organization; the penalty for this is ten years. The other five years are dedicated to “anti-regime propaganda”, that is to say, active participation in demonstrations in 2021 against the deterioration of living conditions.

Yasin was among those arrested during a crackdown on Christian activities over Christmas last year. He spent 20 days in solitary confinement, followed by five months in Sheiban Prison. He was released on bail on May 1, before being sentenced on May 27. Yasin previously spent time in prison in 2017 and 2021.

Several other Christian converts arrested in Izeh last year were also given heavy sentences. Hamid Afzali was sentenced to 10 years in prison, Nasrollah Mousavi and Bijan Qolizadeh to five years each, Zohrab Shahbazi to nine months and Iman Saleh to five years. Two other unnamed converts were each sentenced to two years in prison.

Conversion concerns

Meanwhile, family and friends are deeply concerned for the welfare and fate of Farrokh Kakaei, a 54-year-old Christian convert who has been detained without formal charges for 24 days.

On May 26, Farrokh's home was raided by security agents and several items – including his phone and a photo depicting the image of Jesus – were seized. He was taken to an undisclosed location. Although Farrokh made two brief phone calls to his wife and two children, he was unable to provide his location.

These cases remind us of the dangers our brothers and sisters in Iran face. The heavily Islamic regime views Christianity – which continues to grow at an extraordinary rate in the country – as a threat to its authority. The result is unpredictable and brutal repression. Please continue to keep the country and its faithful believers in your prayers.

Source: Mohabat News