Iranian Persecution: More Christians Imprisoned for Their Faith

ICC Note:
“Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, who has spent 1022 days in prison for his faith under the threat of execution, is only one of many Christians persecuted in Iran for their faith. Recently, the ACLJ learned that Iranian Christian Pastor Farshid Fathi, who was arrested on December 26, 2010, lost his appeal and is now serving six years for his faith in the notorious Evin prison,” the American Center for Law and Justice reports.
By Anna Sekulow
7/30/2012 Iran (ACLJ) – Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, who has spent 1022 days in prison for his faith under the threat of execution, is only one of many Christians persecuted in Iran for their faith. Recently, the ACLJ learned that Iranian Christian Pastor Farshid Fathi, who was arrested on December 26, 2010, lost his appeal and is now serving six years for his faith in the notorious Evin prison.
In an attempt to avoid international scrutiny, the Iranian authorities have cast his Christian activity as “political offenses.” But do not be swayed by these tactics. Like Pastor Youcef, Pastor Fathi was arrested solely for his Christian faith. The regime argued that his Christian activities were equivalent to “actions against national security.” He was also charged with possessing religious propaganda—at trial, the regime offered as evidence that Pastor Fathi had Bibles printed in Farsi, had unlawfully distributed Bibles, and possessed Christian literature.
This blatant violation of Pastor Fathi’s religious freedom has separated him from his wife Leila and two daughters, Rosana and Bardia. Pastor Fathi’s family has asked for prayers “that they would find great comfort in the Lord and in His Church at this time.”
Reverend Sam Yeghnazar of Elam Ministries said “I am convinced that the greater the persecution, the more the church will grow in Iran. Such injustice will only cause more Iranians to want to know the Jesus that people like Farshid proclaim.”
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