IRAN: Country Profile | Prev | Next Iran FactsPopulation:80,946,000Official language: Persian (Farsi)Other spoken languages:Azeri, Kurdish, Gilaki, Mazani, Luri, Arabic, Balochi, ...Official religion: Shia Islam (approx 87%)Other religions: Sunni Islam, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Bahá'í Faith, Mandaeism, Yarsanism, ...Christians: 500,000-800,000Government: Theocratic Republic OverviewIranian authorities heavily suppress the right to freedom of religion or belief. Iranian Christians continue to face arbitrary arrest and detention, grossly unfair trials and lengthy imprisonment. Lack of due process, unfair trials, widespread torture and other ill-treatment of prisoners has been widely reported. Officially recognised churches are subjected to increasingly restrictive controls and effectively banned from using the Persian language in their activities. The authorities continue to raid "house churches" and publicly vilify evangelical Christians - thereby endorsing brutal security measures against them. Forcible closure of businesses owned by Christians, confiscation of properties, bans on employment in the public sector and denial of access to universities are also among the reported violations of freedom of religion. BackgroundIran’s Constitution establishes Iran as an unalterably Islamic state (Twelver Ja’fari school) and establishes Islamic law as the basis of all legislation. Increasingly a strict interpretation of Shi’a Islam has been imposed by authorities on individuals of all faiths as a code of public conduct.The Constitution provides religious-minority status to Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians, and states that the human rights of non-Muslims are to be respected as long as they refrain from activities against Islam or the Islamic Republic of Iran. These three recognised religious minorities have parliamentary representation and are entitled to establish and use their own rites in matters of personal status. The principle of non-discrimination is affirmed, and article 23 states that the “investigation of individuals’ beliefs is forbidden”.Although the Penal Code does not stipulate the death penalty for apostasy (a proposed amendment to the Code to criminalise apostasy was not adopted in the 2013 amendments), Article 167 of the Constitution makes provision for judges to rely on authoritative Islamic sources in matters not covered by the codified law – effectively providing scope for Islamic law sanctions to be applied for apostasy. The only known example of a Christian convert being executed for apostasy was Rev Hossein Soodmand in 1990, though others have received the death sentence only to see it overturned after an international outcry.Iran ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) on 24 June 1975. The ICCPR upholds the right to freedom of religion, including the right to hold a religion of one’s choice and the right to manifest that religion (Article 18). It also upholds the rights of minorities and the principle of non-discrimination. Iran’s ratification of the ICCPR was made without reservation.Although Iran is party to ICCPR and other international covenants that provide for freedom of religion or belief, several Christians, Bahá'ís, Sufi Dervishes and Sunni Muslims have been killed judicially and extra-judicially, tortured, imprisoned or generally harassed on account of their faith. Iranian Parliament or Islamic Consultative AssemblyA remembrance ceremony for the fallen members of religious minorities during the Iran-Iraq war. Christians in Iran | Prev | Next Armenian Orthodox church service in TehranIranian Christians worship in a house-church Iran’s officially recognised Christian community includes Armenian and Syriac communities, thought to number approximately 300,000 – though some recent unofficial estimates suggest this has dropped very significantly in recent years due to emigration. These communities preserve their own linguistic and cultural traditions. The other main category of Christians does not have official status – these are Persian believers from Muslim backgrounds, principally within the Protestant “house church" movement. Their numbers are conservatively estimated to be between 500,000 and 800,000. Iranian authorities grant some limited freedoms to official churches and they are allowed to conduct their religious services in their own ethnic language but are forbidden from offering services to people of other backgrounds in Persian, Iran’s national language. Recognised churches include Armenian Apostolic, Russian Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, Armenian, Chaldean and Roman Catholic, and Anglican, Presbyterian and (until recently) Pentecostal.Officially recognised churches have been subjected to increasingly restrictive controls since 2009. This has led to the rise of "house churches", where Christian converts of Muslim heritage gather in private homes for worship and Bible study. Main sources of persecution of Christians in IranSince the 1979 revolution, Iran's religious minorities have suffered increasing human rights violations, with the persecution of Muslim converts to Christianity in particular escalating since 2009. This has placed Iran among the top-10 persecutors of Christians since 2011, according to the World Watch List produced by Open Doors International.Persecution of Christians in Iran comes mostly from the state. Hardliners within the Iranian regime are increasingly concerned about the spread of Christianity, and see evangelical Christians as a threat. Since 2010, political leaders, including Iran's Supreme Leader, have issued warnings about the "house church" movement as a destabilising factor threatening the future of their theocratic state. In addition to persecution from government sources, Christian converts of Muslim heritage often face strong family and societal pressure. Iranian society as a whole is more tolerant than the state. But conversion from Islam is still seen by some traditional families as a great family disgrace.A combination of these factors accounts for the high emigration-rate of Christians from Iran, whether from Muslim or indigenous Christian backgrounds. Arbitrary arrest and detention of Christians continues Freedom of religion or beliefFreedom of religion or belief is systematically violated. This includes arbitrary arrests, lengthy imprisonment, torture and other ill-treatment, forcible closure of businesses owned by members of religious minorities, confiscation of properties, bans on employment in the public sector and denial of access to universities. Officially recognised churches have been subjected to increasingly restrictive controls since 2009. Churches are effectively banned from using the Persian language in their activities, a restriction enforced through various means. Intelligence forces have asked leaders of these churches to hand over details of their members. Churches have also been asked to end their Friday Persian-speaking services in a clear attempt to reduce attendance since Friday is a weekend day and Sunday is a working day. The largest Persian-speaking church in Tehran was forced to cease its Sunday services in Persian in 2013.Iranian Christians continue to face arbitrary arrest and detention, grossly unfair trials and lengthy imprisonment. The authorities in most cases charge them with spurious national security offences in connection with the peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of religion or belief. Lack of due process, unfair trials, widespread torture and other ill-treatment of prisoners has been widely reported.The authorities continue to crack down heavily on activists in the "house church" movement. Every year many Christians are summoned for interrogation, detained and prosecuted for participating in house-church activities. The authorities regularly incite hatred and violence, vilifying evangelical Christians as “heretical”, “deviant”, and “parasites”. They have endorsed pervasive discrimination and violence based on religious belief.The right to change or renounce religious beliefs continues to be violated. Christian converts have received lengthy prison sentences, ranging from 10 to 15 years in several cases.Christians arrested for their "house church" activities have been arbitrarily dismissed from employment or denied enrolment in universities. Non-Shi’a Muslims are not allowed to stand as presidential candidates or hold key political offices.Torture and other ill-treatmentTorture and other ill-treatment remains common, especially during interrogations. Detainees held by the Ministry of Intelligence and the Revolutionary Guards are routinely subjected to prolonged solitary confinement, amounting to torture.The authorities continue to deprive prisoners detained for religious reasons of adequate medical care. In many cases, this has been done as a deliberate punishment to force them to recant their faith and amounts to torture.Prisoners endure cruel and inhumane conditions in detention, including overcrowding, limited hot water, inadequate food, insufficient beds, poor ventilation and insect infestations.Unfair trialsTrials of Christians are systematically unfair. There are no independent mechanisms for ensuring accountability within the judiciary. Serious concerns remain that judges, particularly those presiding over Revolutionary Courts, are appointed on the basis of their political opinions and affiliation with intelligence bodies.Fair trial provisions of the 2015 Code of Criminal Procedure, including those guaranteeing access to a lawyer from the time of arrest and during investigations, are routinely flouted. The authorities continue to invoke Article 48 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to prevent those detained for political reasons from accessing lawyers of their own choosing. Lawyers have been told they were not on the list approved by the Head of the Judiciary, even though no official list has been made public.Trials, particularly those before Revolutionary Courts, remain closed and extremely brief, sometimes lasting just a few minutes. Article18's Latest Annual Report Timeline: Incidents reported 9 May 2022 Converts already facing charges re-arrested in Rasht Four "Church of Iran" members already facing criminal charges relating to the practice of their faith, while a fifth was ordered to hand himself in today. Read More 5 May 2022 10-year sentence for Iranian-Armenian for ‘disturbing’ Christian teaching An Iranian-Armenian Christian faces 10 years in prison for teaching other Christians in his home, or what a notorious judge […] Read More 29 April 2022 Illegally detained pastor returns to prison after first furlough in four years Arbitrarily detained pastor Yousef Nadarkhani must return to Tehran’s Evin Prison today after enjoying his first visit home in nearly […] Read More 28 April 2022 Second Iranian Christian woman began prison sentence on Easter Saturday A second Iranian woman convert to Christianity began a two-year prison sentence on Easter Saturday on charges related to the […] Read More 21 April 2022 Christian convert arrested in Anzali, family in distress A Christian convert in Iran was arrested after a dozen plainclothes agents from the Ministry of Intelligence (MOIS) raided his […] Read More 16 April 2022 Christian woman convert begins two-year prison sentence A 51-year-old woman Christian convert today began serving a two-year prison sentence in Tehran’s Evin prison for “acting against national […] Read More 11 April 2022 Christian converts given five-year sentences for ‘deviant propaganda’ Three Christian converts have been sentenced to five years in prison for “engaging in propaganda and education of deviant beliefs contrary to the holy Sharia” and “connections with foreign leade Read More 2 March 2022 Anglican bishop of Iran’s official residence turned into a museum The official residence and family home of the former Anglican bishop of Iran is now a museum. Read More 1 March 2022 Supreme Court summarily dismisses Christian convert’s long-awaited retrial bid Only one day after nine Christian converts were acquitted of “acting against national security” by worshipping in house-churches, another Christian […] Read More 28 February 2022 Case closed: Christians’ house-church worship was not ‘action against national security’ Nine Christian converts who spent a combined nearly 20 years in prison for “acting against national security” and “promoting Zionist Christianity” have been acquitted by an appeal court. Read More 23 February 2022 Four Christians unwell after suspected Covid-19 outbreak in Evin Prison Four Christian prisoners of conscience in Tehran’s Evin Prison have fallen ill in recent days following a suspected Covid-19 outbreak within their ward. Read More 17 February 2022 ‘We are just Christians worshipping according to the Bible,’ say converts in last defence Three Christian converts facing up to 10 years in prison for alleged “deviant propaganda” and ties with foreign organisations have […] Read More 14 February 2022 Christian converts absolved by Supreme Court now face ‘propaganda’ charges Two of the nine Christian converts cleared by a Supreme Court judge of “acting against national security” have now been charged with “propaganda against the state”. Read More 9 February 2022 Converts summoned to begin prison sentences for ‘spreading “Zionist” Christianity’ Three Christian converts from the northern city of Rasht have been summoned to begin serving prison sentences of between two […] Read More 1 February 2022 Converts charged with ‘deviant propaganda’ under amended Article 500 Three Christian converts from the northern city of Rasht are the latest to be charged under last year’s controversial amendments to Article 500 of the penal code, and could now face up to 10 years i Read More 1 February 2022 Converts cleared of any crime must now attend ‘re-education’ classes A group of Christian converts cleared of any wrongdoing in November are now being forced to undertake “re-education” classes in the Islamic faith. Read More 27 January 2022 Date set for historic appeal hearing Eight of the nine Christian converts recently released from prison pending a review of their case have been told their appeal will be heard next month. Read More 26 January 2022 Iran’s Supreme Court agrees to review Christian convert’s 10-year prison sentence Iran’s Supreme Court has finally agreed to review the case of a Christian convert serving a 10-year prison sentence for […] Read More 24 January 2022 Isfahan brothers still missing after Christmas arrest Two brothers remain missing more than a month after their arrest at a Christmas gathering near Isfahan. Read More 20 January 2022 Christian converts conclude prison sentences, but one now faces exile Two Christian converts have been released from prison at the conclusion of their one-year prison sentences for belonging to a house-church, but one of them now faces two years’ exile. Read More 18 January 2022 Christian convert back in prison just two weeks after release Just two weeks after the release on bail of nine Christian converts, pending a review of their case ordered by Iran’s Supreme Court, one of them is already back in prison - thanks to a ruling by a d Read More 12 January 2022 Christian prisoner of conscience mourns death of only child Mehdi (Yasser) Akbari, who was a single parent, was informed on 28 December that his son, Amin Ali, who had underlying health issues, had passed away in the care facility where he had been living sinc Read More 11 January 2022 Convert begins four-year prison sentence for ‘spreading Christianity’ Christian convert Hadi (Moslem) Rahimi has begun serving his four-year prison sentence for “acting against national security” by attending a […] Read More 7 January 2022 Lawyer of imprisoned Christian asks what danger his client’s release would pose The lawyer of a Christian convert who has spent nearly four years in prison for “acting against national security” by […] Read More 4 January 2022 Christian woman imprisoned ‘for believing in Jesus’ faces fresh accusation A 64-year-old Christian woman who has already served one prison sentence for “propaganda against the regime” has been summoned to […] Read More 4 January 2022 Christian converts granted belated Christmas break from prison Three Christian converts have been given 10 days’ leave from prison after inquiring why they weren’t included in the publicised mass furlough of Christian prisoners over Christmas. Read More 1 January 2022 Nine Christian converts conditionally released following Supreme Court ruling Nine Christian converts serving five-year prison sentences for their involvement in house-churches are conditionally released today from prison, pending a review of their case. Read More 20 December 2021 Christian converts cleared of any crime Eight Christian converts have been cleared of any crime, with the presiding prosecutor stating that their change of religion was […] Read More 20 December 2021 Christians’ belongings held unlawfully, says lawyer The lawyer of five Christians out on bail for more than a year has complained his clients’ confiscated belongings have still not been returned to them, despite the law mandating they should be retur Read More 25 November 2021 Iran’s Supreme Court rules Christians did not act against national security Iran's Supreme Court has ruled that nine Christian converts serving five-year prison sentences for their involvement in house-churches should not have been charged with “acting against national secu Read More 9 November 2021 Christian converts told to return to prison Christian converts Sasan Khosravi and Habib Heydari have been summoned back to prison to serve the remainder of their one-year sentences for “propagating against the Islamic Republic by promoting Ch Read More 8 November 2021 Christian converts summoned to begin prison sentences for ‘deviant propaganda’ Three Christian converts have been summoned to begin three-year prison sentences for “engaging in propaganda that educates in a deviant way contrary to the holy religion of Islam”. Read More 8 November 2021 Christian converts’ property returned after six-month wait Four Christian converts whose property was confiscated from them by the intelligence agents who raided their homes more than six months ago have finally had it returned to them. Read More 25 October 2021 Christian convert denied parole – he never applied for it An Iranian Christian convert who has spent more than three years in Tehran’s Evin Prison for leading a house-church was […] Read More 21 October 2021 Intelligence agents refuse to return Christians’ belongings Four Iranian Christian converts are growing increasingly frustrated by intelligence agents’ continued refusal to return personal belongings confiscated from them […] Read More 20 October 2021 Christians summoned to Tehran prosecutor for final defence Five Iranian Christians who were among dozens arrested during coordinated raids on house-churches in three cities last year were summoned on Saturday to give their final defence before a Tehran prosec Read More 19 October 2021 Christian convert refused parole again despite assurances Christian prisoner of conscience Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh has for the second time this year been refused conditional release, or even […] Read More 4 October 2021 Christian convert released on bail after month’s incommunicado detention A Christian convert detained incommunicado for almost a month following his arrest by agents of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has […] Read More 28 September 2021 Christian convert arrested three weeks ago still detained, incommunicado There are concerns over the wellbeing of a Christian convert, whose whereabouts remain unknown more than three weeks after his […] Read More 6 September 2021 New arrests and threats as pressure increases on Rasht Christians Three Christian converts were arrested last night in the northern city of Rasht, in the latest blow to the beleaguered Christian community there. Read More 27 August 2021 Christian convert given leave from prison Christian convert Hamed Ashouri has been released on leave from prison. Article18 understands that the 31-year-old, who is serving a […] Read More 26 August 2021 Christian converts’ sentences reduced but appeals rejected Three Christian converts were informed today that their appeals against five-year prison sentences have been rejected, but their sentences reduced […] Read More 26 August 2021 Intelligence agents ‘refusing to return Christians’ property’ Intelligence agents in the southwestern city of Dezful are reportedly refusing to hand back the personal belongings of four Christian […] Read More 9 August 2021 Christian convert fitted with electronic tag Christian convert Reza Zaeemi was yesterday released from prison, on the condition he wears an electronic tag for the remainder […] Read More 4 August 2021 Four more Christian converts charged with ‘propaganda against the Islamic Republic’ Four Christian converts from the south-western city of Dezful are the latest to be officially charged with “propaganda against the Islamic Republic”. Read More 28 July 2021 Christian convert begins prison sentence for ‘propaganda against Islamic Republic’ Christian convert Hamed Ashouri has begun his 10-month prison sentence for “propaganda against the Islamic Republic”. The 31-year-old submitted himself […] Read More 23 July 2021 Christians summoned to answer charges of ‘propaganda against the Islamic Republic’ Eight Christian converts in the southwestern city of Dezful have been summoned to answer charges of “propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran”. Read More 14 July 2021 Bishop’s house ‘to be turned into a museum’ The former house of Iran’s first ethnic Persian Anglican bishop is to be turned into a museum, according to the state-funded Mehr News Agency. Read More 29 June 2021 Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh’s request for conditional release rejected Christian prisoner of conscience Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh has been told his request for conditional release has been rejected. The news […] Read More 28 June 2021 Christian converts given maximum five-year sentences under penal code amendments Three Christian converts have been given the maximum sentence of five years each in prison under controversial recent amendments to the Iranian penal code. Read More 28 June 2021 Christian convert’s appeal rejected, summoned to serve sentence Iranian Christian convert Hamed Ashoori has been summoned to begin his 10-month prison sentence for “propaganda against the Islamic Republic”, […] Read More 15 June 2021 Elderly Italian nun told she must leave Iran An elderly Italian nun who has dedicated her life to helping Iran’s poor and needy has been told her visa will not be renewed. Read More 4 June 2021 Convert begins prison sentence for ‘promoting Christianity’ An Iranian Christian convert has begun serving his nine-month prison sentence for “propaganda against the Islamic Republic by promoting evangelical […] Read More 27 May 2021 Prison deadline looms for Parkinson’s sufferer and wife An Iranian Christian convert with advanced Parkinson’s disease and his wife have been told they must submit themselves to Tehran’s […] Read More 12 May 2021 Christian converts charged under Iran’s newly amended ‘propaganda’ law Three Christian converts in Fardis, near Tehran, have become the first known examples of Christians being charged under the contentious recent amendments to the Iranian penal code. Read More 30 April 2021 Convert faces prison for ‘promoting evangelical Christianity’ An Iranian Christian convert is awaiting a summons to begin a nine-month prison sentence for “propaganda against the Islamic Republic […] Read More 27 April 2021 Christian converts released on condition they stop meeting together Four Christian converts have been released without charge but only after they were ordered to sign commitments to have no further involvement in any Christian activities. Read More 27 April 2021 Christian convert given 10-month sentence for ‘propaganda against Islamic Republic’ An Iranian Christian convert has been sentenced to 10 months in prison for “propaganda against the Islamic Republic”. Hamed Ashoori, […] Read More 22 April 2021 Christian converts take appeals to Iran’s Supreme Court Iran’s Supreme Court is considering the retrial petitions for two high-profile cases involving Christian converts. The first relates to the […] Read More 21 April 2021 Four Christian converts arrested in Dezful, others interrogated Four Christian converts have been arrested and others summoned for interrogation by intelligence agents in the southwestern city of Dezful. Read More 15 April 2021 Christian convert released after over three years in prison Christian convert Majidreza Souzanchi has been released after more than three years in prison. Read More 25 March 2021 Parkinson’s sufferer and wife summoned to begin prison sentences A Christian convert with advanced Parkinson’s disease and his wife have been summoned to begin their prison sentences for belonging […] Read More 16 March 2021 Iranian Christian convert with Parkinson’s disease faces prison An Iranian Christian convert with advanced Parkinson’s disease and his wife have been told to expect a summons any day […] Read More 28 February 2021 Ebrahim Firouzi released on bail, but charges not dropped Iranian Christian convert Ebrahim Firouzi has been released on bail after nearly three weeks in detention. The 34-year-old, who has […] Read More 24 February 2021 Yasser Mossayebzadeh granted conditional release from prison Mohammad Ali (Yasser) Mossayebzadeh, who was serving a 10-year sentence as a result of his membership of a house-church, has been granted conditional release from prison. Read More 22 February 2021 Ebrahim Firouzi still in prison as church council voices concern The Council of United Iranian Churches (Hamgaam) has called on the Iranian authorities to “immediately and unconditionally” release Christian convert […] Read More 16 February 2021 Ebrahim Firouzi promised release, ends hunger strike Imprisoned Christian convert Ebrahim Firouzi has ended his hunger strike after receiving assurances he will soon be released and the […] Read More 12 February 2021 Ebrahim Firouzi to begin hunger strike after latest imprisonment Exiled and now newly imprisoned Iranian Christian convert Ebrahim Firouzi has declared that he will begin a hunger strike tomorrow […] Read More 8 February 2021 Exiled Iranian Christian convert summoned to explain ‘propaganda’ An Iranian Christian convert who has spent years in prison and is now in internal exile has been summoned to respond to fresh allegations of “propaganda against the Islamic Republic in favour of hos Read More 3 February 2021 Iranian Christians ordered not to meet – in person or online Eleven Christian couples from a city just outside Tehran have been ordered by agents of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence to sign commitments to refrain from meeting together - either in person or onl Read More 1 February 2021 Converts face prison for ‘promoting Christianity’ An appeals court in the southwestern Iranian city of Bushehr has upheld the one-year prison sentences given to three Christian converts for “propagating against the Islamic Republic through promotin Read More 25 January 2021 Iranian Christian group ‘dismantled’ for ‘creating moral deviations’ An Iranian news agency linked to the Revolutionary Guard Corps has reported the arrest of a “network” of Christians in “several provinces” for “creating moral deviations” and “promoting Read More 21 January 2021 Mary Mohammadi told she can’t have old job back, arrested again Iranian Christian convert Fatemeh (Mary) Mohammadi has been arrested again – this time for alleged “improper” hijab – and continues […] Read More 26 November 2020 House-church leaders acquitted of ‘acting against national security’ Two Iranian Christian converts have overturned on appeal a combined 10-year prison sentence for their leadership of a house-church. Read More 17 November 2020 Four Christians given combined 35 years in prison Four Christian converts have been sentenced to a combined 35 years in prison. Mehdi Akbari, Fatemeh Sharifi and Simin Soheilinia […] Read More 16 November 2020 Second Christian convert flogged for drinking Communion wine Despite international condemnation of the recent flogging of an Iranian Christian convert for drinking Communion wine, a second convert has now received the same punishment. Read More 13 November 2020 Christian convert’s third plea for retrial rejected Imprisoned Christian convert Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh has been informed that his third request for a retrial has been rejected. Nasser, […] Read More 11 November 2020 Christian homes targeted in coordinated Fardis raids Twelve Christian homes were raided by intelligence agents today in a coordinated operation in Fardis, west of Tehran, at around 9am. Read More 3 November 2020 Tehran church with giant cross demolished A 70-year-old Adventist church in central Tehran has been demolished, along with the giant concrete cross on its facade. Read More 2 November 2020 Saheb Fadaie returns to prison after short furlough Christian prisoner of conscience Saheb Fadaie has returned to prison after a five-day furlough. Saheb, whose birth name is Zaman, […] Read More 14 October 2020 Iranian Christian convert lashed 80 times for drinking Communion wine Iranian Christian convert Mohammad Reza (Youhan) Omidi was today lashed 80 times for drinking wine as part of Holy Communion. […] Read More 13 October 2020 Lawyers and activists call on judiciary to overturn ‘illegal’ adoption ruling against converts One hundred and twenty lawyers and activists have written an open letter to the head of the judiciary in Iran, […] Read More 29 September 2020 After years in prison and exile, Ebrahim Firouzi cleared of new charges Iranian Christian convert Ebrahim Firouzi has already spent six years in prison followed by nearly a year in internal exile […] Read More 24 September 2020 Christian converts’ adopted child to be removed from their care Lydia was just three months old when she was adopted by Iranian Christian converts Sam Khosravi and wife Maryam Falahi. […] Read More 23 September 2020 Christian convert released on bail after two months in prison An Iranian woman convert to Christianity detained since her arrest at the end of June has finally been released on a reduced bail. Read More 18 September 2020 Expropriation of bishop’s house completed 41 years after confiscation The bishop’s house in Isfahan – once the seat of the Anglican Church in Iran – was confiscated by an […] Read More 14 September 2020 Christian convert begins exile weeks after leaving prison Today, four weeks after leaving prison, Iranian Christian convert Mohammad Reza (Youhan) Omidi journeyed south to begin his exile more […] Read More 10 September 2020 Christian converts leave Iran, facing combined 35 years in prison Three Iranian Christian converts whose appeals against a combined 35 years in prison were recently rejected want to let their […] Read More 25 August 2020 Joseph Shahbazian released on bail after 54 days Iranian-Armenian Christian Joseph Shahbazian has been released on bail after nearly two months in detention. The 56-year-old was one of […] Read More 20 August 2020 Iranian-Armenian Christian prisoner’s family see him for first time in seven weeks The wife and son of an Iranian-Armenian Christian who remains in detention seven weeks after his arrest were able to […] Read More 19 August 2020 Iranian-Assyrian Christians flee but vow to continue legal battle Article18 can now confirm that Iranian-Assyrian Christians Victor Bet-Tamraz and Shamiram Issavi fled Iran on Saturday, hours before Shamiram was due to begin her five-year prison sentence. Read More 18 August 2020 Christian convert released after two years in prison Iranian Christian convert Mohammadreza (Youhan) Omidi has been released from prison after completing his reduced two-year sentence for “acting against […] Read More 16 August 2020 Iranian-Assyrian Christian couple lose appeals against combined 15 years in prison An Iranian-Assyrian couple sentenced to a combined 15 years in prison for teaching Muslim converts about Christianity have finally been […] Read More 11 August 2020 Concerns for Christians after coronavirus outbreak at Evin Prison There are concerns over the health of four Christian prisoners of conscience after one of them tested positive for Covid-19 […] Read More 5 August 2020 Prison sentences for Rasht converts Four Iranian Christian converts have received prison sentences of between two and five years for “acting against national security” by […] Read More 23 July 2020 Unprecedented bail demand for Iranian-Armenian house-church leader The family of an Iranian-Armenian house-church leader who remains in detention more than three weeks after his arrest have been […] Read More 16 July 2020 Ismaeil Maghrebinejad faces prison as final appeals fail Iranian Christian convert Ismaeil Maghrebinejad has lost his appeal against the two remaining prison sentences issued to him earlier this […] Read More 15 July 2020 Converts charged with acting against national security by promoting ‘Zionist Christianity’ At least 10 of the more than a dozen Christian converts arrested two weeks ago in raids on their homes […] Read More 13 July 2020 Christian convert, 65, overturns first of three jail sentences on appeal Sixty-five-year-old Iranian Christian convert Ismaeil Maghrebinejad has had his three-year jail sentence for “insulting Islamic sacred beliefs” overturned on appeal. 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Iran in pictures Azadi (freedom) SquareTehranVank ChurchIsfahanGrand BazarTehranThe Coppersmiths' MarketIsfahanThe Shah MosqueIsfahan - also known as the New Abbasi Mosque or Royal MosqueAzadi (freedom) SquareTehranTourists at Naghsh-e Jahan SquareIsfahanMilad TowerTehran Press Room Contact Article18 for Interviews and Inquiries Article18 is your source for news on the persecution of Christians in Iran. We're constantly monitoring the situation on the ground and can offer interviews and provide further details on incidents reported on this website. Contact Us SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER Subscribe Contact Us info@articleeighteen.com --- (+44) 20 3239 1818(+44) 75 6131 4087 www.articleeighteen.com --- Kemp House, 152-160 City Road, London EC1V 2NX About Us Article18 is dedicated to the protection and promotion of religious freedom in Iran and advocating on behalf of its persecuted Christians. 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