Iran: Update on Christian detainees in Shiraz

ICC Note:
“A number of Christian converts were seized in Shiraz after security authorities identified them and raided the home of a Christian convert which had been dedicated to be used as a house church. In this report, the names of some of these detainees are being published after confirmation,” Mohabat News reports.
2/15/2012 Iran (Mohabat News) – A number of Christian converts were seized in Shiraz after security authorities identified them and raided the home of a Christian convert which had been dedicated to be used as a house church. In this report, the names of some of these detainees are being published after confirmation.
According to reports by reporters of Iranian Christian News agency, Mohabat News, security authorities broke into the house of a Christian convert where people were gathered for worship and bible study, and arrested a number of people.
Christian converts are forced to gather in small groups in their own houses to hold worship services, because the Islamic government of Iran denies all beliefs other than Islam and exerts tight restrictions on non-Muslims citizens.
This report states that on February 8, 2012, security authorities identified the address where these converts were gathered and attacked them in the middle of their service. They mistreated attendees and thoroughly searched the place.
Security officers confiscated all their Bibles and gospels and transferred the detainees to an unknown location. Some sources raise the possibility of their transfer to the custody center of Intelligence Ministry in Shiraz, known as “Pelak 100” for further interrogations.
The names of seven of those arrested during the above mentioned raid were confirmed and sent to Mohabat News. The names are as follows:
– Mojtaba Hosseini. He had also been arrested on May, 11, 2008 together with 8 other Christian converts on a charge of having Christian faith.
– A couple by the names of Fariba and her husband Homayoun and their 17 year old son Nima.
– The others were a lady called Sharifeh, and two men by the names of Kourosh and Masoud.
Knowledgeable sources also sent reports to Mohabat News stating that Security authorities had also invaded and thoroughly searched the homes of those arrested. The invaders confiscated anything that could be considered evidence of their Christian faith. Seized items included CDs, Gospels, teaching booklets, Christian books and even their computers, faxes and satellite TV receivers.
These Christian detainees were not allowed to have any contacts or visits with their family, until publication of this news. The families of those arrested have received no news concerning their loved one’s health conditions and are very worried. All efforts to get information in this regard have failed.
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