ICC Note:The three Christians arrested alongside Pastor Nadarkhani in Iran are still awaiting release from Lakan Prison. The bails set for the men have a pending payment assigned of 100,000,000 Toman each, approximately 33,000 USD. Each of the three has suffered similar persecution in the past from the Iranian regime. One of the men, Mr. Omidi, was detained in 2012 and sentenced to 80 lashes for drinking alcohol during a communion service.
05/25/2016 Iran (Christian Solidarity): The three Christians from the Church of Iran denomination are being held pending payment of 100,000,000 Toman each (approx. US$ 33,000).
The men were arrested as part of a series of raids targeting the homes of church members by Iranian intelligence (VEVAK) officers, who seized computers, mobile telephones and bibles.
Mr Mossayebzadeh was arrested during a raid on the home of Pastor Nadarkhani, the Church of Iran pastor acquitted of apostasy in 2012, who was also detained briefly along with his wife, Tina Pasandide Nadarkhani. Saheb Fadaie and Mohammadreza Omidi (Youhan) were summoned to VEVAK offices by telephone prior to raids on their homes.
While Mr and Mrs Nadarkhani were released on 13 May, the three men are still in Lakan Prison near Rasht pending payment of bail. The reasons for their arrests remain unclear as charges are yet to be proffered. All three are married; Mr Fadaie has an eight year old daughter, and Mr Omidi has two teenage daughters aged 13 and 15.
The men were briefly detained in February 2015, following similar raids. Mr Omidi was initially detained in December 2012, during the annual crackdown on churches. In 2013, he was one of four Christians sentenced to 80 lashes each after they were charged with drinking alcohol during a communion service and possessing a receiver and satellite antenna.
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