News

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 faces 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.

Seven Iranian Christians sentenced to total of 32 years in prison

Seven Iranian Christians sentenced to total of 32 years in prison

An Iranian-Armenian Christian pastor has been sentenced to 10 years in prison and two women converts to Christianity to six years for their leadership roles within house-churches.

House-church leader loses appeal as seven other Christians await verdict 

House-church leader loses appeal as seven other Christians await verdict 

An appeal court has upheld a 10-year prison sentence for a house-church leader issued by a notorious judge.  Anooshavan Avedian, an […]

Christians’ belongings held unlawfully, says lawyer

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 returned at the “earliest possible opportunity”.