Mohammad Nikbakht

Mohammad Nikbakht’s case is different from that of most Christian converts in Iran, because rather than being detained for his religious beliefs or activities, Mohammad is in prison because of his politics.

Mohammad comes from a family of activists – his two brothers were recently sentenced to death for their alleged involvement in organising protests.

Now, Mohammad is also reportedly facing the threat of execution.

No Christian convert has been sentenced to death in Iran since Yousef Nadarkhani in 2010 and, before him, Mehdi Dibaj in 1994.

Rev Hossein Soodmand remains the only Christian killed by hanging for his “apostasy”, though others like Rev Dibaj were killed extrajudicially, and at least 22 Christians were among those killed during the massacre of protesters in January.

A petition calling for Mohammad’s release fears his Christian faith now places him at greater risk of being the next victim.

It calls him “more than just an Iranian political and human rights activist; he is a beacon of hope, a courageous voice for justice, and a Christian believer whose faith strengthens his commitment to truth and human dignity”.

The petition calls on the UN, democratic governments worldwide and international human rights and religious freedom organisations to “take immediate and decisive action” to “ensure his immediate safety”, and to “publicly warn Iranian authorities that Mohammad Nikbakht’s life must be protected and that they will be held fully accountable for any harm”.

“Mohammad’s faith, combined with his activism, makes him especially vulnerable,” it adds. “The Iranian regime relies on silence to continue its abuses. Activists and religious minorities are often targeted in isolation, away from the eyes of the world. Mohammad Nikbakht’s name must not disappear into that silence. Global attention can save his life.”