News

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.

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.

Meet Iran’s latest Christian prisoners of conscience

Meet Iran’s latest Christian prisoners of conscience

The similarities and differences between the latest set of Iranian Christians to have been jailed show clearly that, in the Islamic Republic, neither recognised nor unrecognised Christians are free to act out their beliefs.

Iranian-Armenian pastor begins 10-year prison sentence

Iranian-Armenian pastor begins 10-year prison sentence

An Iranian-Armenian pastor has today begun serving a 10-year prison sentence for holding church services in his home. Joseph Shahbazian, […]

UN experts call on Iran to ‘stop persecution, harassment of religious minorities’

UN experts call on Iran to ‘stop persecution, harassment of religious minorities’

Eight UN experts have called on the Iranian authorities to “stop persecution and harassment of religious minorities and end the […]

Christians lose appeal against imprisonment and fines for house-church activities

Christians lose appeal against imprisonment and fines for house-church activities

An Iranian appeal court has upheld the sentences of five Christians facing a total of 22 years in prison and the equivalent of $2,225 in fines for organising house-churches.

Youhan Omidi returns home from four years’ prison and exile

Youhan Omidi returns home from four years’ prison and exile

After two years in prison and nearly two more in internal exile over 1,000km from his home and family – […]

Anooshavan Avedian awaits imprisonment as converts summoned to Tehran prosecutor  

Anooshavan Avedian awaits imprisonment as converts summoned to Tehran prosecutor  

A 60-year-old Iranian-Armenian Christian is awaiting a summons to begin his 10-year prison sentence for “engaging in propaganda contrary to and disturbing to Islam”.

Anooshavan Avedian 

Anooshavan Avedian 

Iranian-Armenian Christian Anooshavan Avedian was sentenced to 10 years in prison under the amended Article 500 of the Islamic Penal Code for what a notorious judge called “propaganda contrary to and disturbing to the holy religion of Islam”.

Malihe Nazari, Joseph Shahbazian and Mina Khajavi 

Malihe Nazari, Joseph Shahbazian and Mina Khajavi 

Iranian-Armenian Christian Joseph Shahbazian and Christian converts Mina Khajavi and Malihe Nazari were sentenced to a combined total of 22 years in prison solely for practising their Christian faith.