ICC Note: Four Christians, were arrested for “illegal church activities” are currently awaiting trial. The Christians are currently out on bail, but are awaiting a hearing that could place them in jail for a total of 45 years, simply for living out their faith and attending a Christmas gathering.
09/07/2018 Iran (The Tablet) – Four Christians are on bail and awaiting appeal verdicts, after being sentenced to long jail terms for practicing their faith in Iran.
Iranian Assyrian Christians Victor Bet-Tamraz and his wife Shamiram Issavi, along with Amin Afshar-Naderi and Hadi Asgari, both Christian converts from Islam, have been sentenced to a combined total of 45 years in prison solely for practicing their faith, including attending Christmas gatherings and organizing house churches.
The charges involved conducting “illegal church activities” and spreading propaganda that “threatens national security”.
According to Amnesty International, if imprisoned, they would be prisoners of conscience. The organization is campaigning on their behalf and urging the Iranian government to stop the harassment, arbitrary arrest and imprisonment of Christians.
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