Iranian Christian asylum seekers caught up in Turkey’s deportation drive

Iranian Christian asylum seekers caught up in Turkey’s deportation drive

Article18 has received firsthand testimonies from five Iranian Christian refugee families who have been arrested in Turkey in recent weeks and taken to “removal centres”, where they have been detained and threatened with deportation.

Son of murdered pastor releases film in response to Iran executions

Son of murdered pastor releases film in response to Iran executions

The son of a murdered Iranian pastor has produced a short film in protest against state executions in Iran. Joseph […]

Converts among women prisoners to ‘say “no” to executions’

Converts among women prisoners to ‘say “no” to executions’

Two Iranian Christian converts are among 30 women prisoners of conscience to have signed a joint letter denouncing state executions in Iran, as protesters continue to be sentenced to death.

Iran ranked eighth hardest country to be Christian

Iran ranked eighth hardest country to be Christian

Iran has risen back to eighth place on an annual list of the countries where it is hardest to practise the Christian faith.

Apostasy never codified in Iranian law ‘due to international pressure’

Apostasy never codified in Iranian law ‘due to international pressure’

Iran refrained from codifying the “crime” of apostasy in its penal code due to fears of an international outcry, a retired judge involved in revising the text has admitted.

Converts given short breaks from prison over Christmas

Converts given short breaks from prison over Christmas

Three “Church of Iran” members serving prison sentences for “spreading deviant beliefs contrary to Islam” were given short breaks from prison over the Christmas period.

Pope breaks silence on protests, condemns executions

Pope breaks silence on protests, condemns executions

Pope Francis has broken his silence on the protests in Iran, specifically referring to the “recent demonstrations demanding greater respect for dignity of women” as part of his general condemnation of the death penalty.

Iranian-Assyrian woman protester released on bail after month in prison

Iranian-Assyrian woman protester released on bail after month in prison

An Iranian-Assyrian woman has been released on bail after more than a month in detention in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison as a result of her support for the popular protests.

Pastor arrested at Christmas gathering during leave from prison

Pastor arrested at Christmas gathering during leave from prison

A “Church of Iran” pastor who had been on leave from prison since last summer was rearrested at a Christmas […]

Artist and champion of inter-religious dialogue ‘sentenced to death’

Artist and champion of inter-religious dialogue ‘sentenced to death’

An Iranian artist who once donated an illustrated copy of the Psalms to families of the victims of 9/11 has reportedly been sentenced to death for “spying for foreign countries”.