Iran issues prison time for Christian converts: Asghar Salehi and Mohammad Reza Rezzaei

Three Iranian converts were sentenced to six months in prison after receiving charges of “propaganda against the system through promoting Zionist Christianity.”  They were arrested last September during a series of raids on their homes.

Asghar Salehi and Mohammad Reza Rezzaei are two of the converts who were sentenced (the third wishes to remain anonymous). Their judicial process proceeded through Branch 101 of the Eqlid Criminal Court, in Fars Province. Their charges were processed through Iran’s penal code, which is notable, as the regime often presses these types of charges through the Islamic courts.

Little is known about Mohammad Reza’s detainment experience. Asghar was interrogated for three days, during which time he was kept blindfolded, and then taken to Eqlid Prison for eight days. He made bail by providing his business license as a guarantee. According to Article 18, Asghar is reportedly suffering from serious health issues. Because both he and Mohammad Reza are former drug addicts, they are at an even high risk of mistreatment, as Iran’s law against drug use are notoriously severe.

ICC

photo Imagens Evangélicas via Flickr

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