Two “forgive” Iranian Christians were sent back to prison

Two Christians released from prison in Iran in 2022 and 2023, respectively, were re-arrested on Thursday (February 6), according to advocacy group Article 18.

Intelligence Agency arrested Nasser Navad Gol Tepp and Joseph Shabazian from their homes in Tehran and took him to Tehran’s infamous Evin prison, reporting that other Christians had arrested their faith at the same time. It’s.

Gol-Tapeh, 63, a convert from Islam, was “pardoned” and nearly a decade on charges in October 2022 that were deemed “actions against national security” due to his involvement in the House Church. He was released after being sentenced to

“Nasser clearly refuses to eat in protest of his illegal re-arrest. Meanwhile, a Article 18 source reported that many other Tehrancians were also arrested and remained detained at the same time. “We do,” Article 18 reported.

Shabazian, a 60-year-old Iranian Ahmenian, spent more than a year at Evin Prison on similar charges before being “pardoned” and released in September 2023. The Armenian Church is legal in Iran, and his arrest and re-arrests, according to Article 18, it showed that Christians are not safe in this country.

“Both groups remain potential targets by Iranian authorities,” the group reported. “In fact, as the new annual report in Article 18 shows, Christians who consider the goals of the Islamic Republic “unorganized” could face arrest and imprisonment on “security” charges. . ”

An annual report released last month at the United Nations in Geneva called on Iranian authorities to “end crimes of family church organizations and memberships” and said, “Persian-speaking Christians can freely worship in their native languages.” He asked to be clear about the location, without fear of arrest and prosecution.”

The third recommendation called on Iranian authorities to remove all charges against Christians relating to church activities awarded by the Iranian Supreme Court. This is a reference to the 2021 ruling to clarify involvement in the House Church, or even propagation of “labeled things.” Evangelical Zionists should not be seen as “actions against national security.”

The reason for Gol-Tapeh and Shabazian’s re-arrest was unknown. During his five years in prison, Gol Teipe filed several requests for retrial or parole, asking how, according to Article 18, the membership of the House Church constituted “actions on national security.” I’ve written a number of open letters.

His release comes two days after the fire spread the chaos in the prison, claiming the lives of at least four prisoners, throwing gunshots and projectiles from outside. It was not clear whether the fire was linked to the release of Gol-Tapeh, who had some health problems during his jail time.

“Nasser was arbitrarily arrested, detained, falsely charged, imprisoned for almost five years, and inhumanably denied a retrial, Farrow and medical treatment opportunity.”

Shabazian initially received a 10-year sentence to hold church services at his home, but this was cut in May 2023 to two years. He was denied treatment for the illness for several months, and even after being diagnosed, according to Article 18.

He had decided to do so on the condition that he pledges to not engage in the activities that he was initially arrested.

“Iranians in Armenian and Assyrian families are allowed freedom to worship in their own language, but churches that served in Persian have been systematically closed for the past 15 years.” Article 18 has been reported. “As a result, Iranians who wish to worship in Persian language, whether there is no place for converts, Armenians or Assyrians to worship, have no place to worship.”

The closure of the church led to the rise of private worship meetings in homes like Shabazian, the group said.

“However, these have been banned by Iranian authorities, called “enemy groups,” and members were systematically arrested and imprisoned on charges of “actions against national security,” Article 18 reported. .

Iran ranked 9th in the Open Doors ‘2025 World Watch List (WWL), a Christian support organization in 50 countries where becoming a Christian is the most difficult. The report said despite the persecution, “Iranian churches are growing steadily.”