ICC Note:
“A Christian artist was arrested by plain clothes security authorities in a house church in Mashhad. No information is available yet concerning his health condition or where he is being held,” Mohabat News reports.
6/20/2012 Iran (Mohabat News) – A Christian artist was arrested by plain clothes security authorities in a house church in Mashhad. No information is available yet concerning his health condition or where he is being held. The lack of information has increased concerns for his health.
According to Iranian Christian news agency, Mohabat News, “Vahid Zarday”, a Christian convert was arrested on 26 May by plain clothes security authorities in the religious city of Mashhad.
Mr. Zarday, together with his wife and a number of other new Christian believers, had gathered in a house church to worship and hear teaching from Bible. Security authorities raided the place and arrested everyone in attendance and transferred them to an unknown location. In addition, the place used as a house church was thoroughly searched.
Vahid Zarday graduated in Music from Sooreh University in Tehran and is a Christian artist. In producing his material, he has collaborated with some famous Iranian artists in several domestic art festivals, including those for theater and has received awards as a music composer. Also he has written articles on music and theology for some Iranian newspapers.
According to the report, Mr. Zarday’s wife was temporarily released because of her physical condition and also because she is in the final days of her pregnancy. However, she was forced to sign an agreement stating that she must go to the respective offices and organizations in Mashhad upon request. She was also asked to remain silent and not give the news to media and avoid interviews.
No news has been received concerning the names and details of others who may have been arrested in the house church in Mashhad.
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