JERUSALEM (Morning Star News) – The latest in a string of harsh sentences against church leaders in Iran has been handed down to four Christian converts for promoting Christianity, according to human rights activists. Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, along with deacons Mohammadreza Omidi, Yasser Mossayebzadeh and Saheb Fadaie, were sentenced to 10 years in prison in a […]
Harsh Punishments Meted Out to Christians in Iran as Tehran Sends Chilling Signal
Converts from Islam sentenced to 10 years in prison.
July 13, 2017 By - Leave a Comment
Christians Imprisoned in Iran Pine under Biased Justice System, Advocates Say
Converts from Islam said to face delays, denials and deceit.
March 31, 2017 By - Leave a Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – Convert from Islam Ebrahim Firoozi learned only in the past week that an Iranian appeals court in December upheld his five-year prison sentence for crimes related to practicing his faith, advocates reported. At the same time, the appeal of three men sentenced to 80 lashes for drinking Communion wine has […]
Morning Star News’ Top 10 Persecution Stories of 2016
Jihadists fight under the radar in Africa.
January 6, 2017 By - Leave a Comment
(Morning Star News) – While war in the Middle East dominated international headlines, Islamic extremists in the shadows were taking jihad to Christian civilians in Africa with unprecedented intensity in 2016. In Nigeria, Muslim ethnic Fulanis looked less like nomadic herdsmen and more like well-armed, well-funded jihadist militants. Close Muslim relatives and Islamist village mobs […]
Christians in Iran Appeal Sentence of 80 Lashes for Drinking Communion Wine
Pastor Behnam Irani released.
October 29, 2016 By - Leave a Comment
ISTANBUL (Morning Star News) – Three Iranian Christians sentenced to receive 80 lashes for drinking wine during a Communion service filed an appeal Wednesday (Oct. 25) to have their case overturned, a noted advocacy group reported. In a trial that lasted a mere 10 minutes, the three converts from Islam, Mohammadreza Omidi, Yasser Mossayebzadeh and Saheb […]
Iran Suspected of ‘Forcing Confessions’ to Obtain ‘Evidence’ against Church Leader
Five Christians illegally arrested at a picnic.
August 29, 2016 By - Leave a Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – Five members of an Iranian house church are missing after government agents arrested them on Friday (Aug. 26) without a warrant and took them to an undisclosed location, according to a leading advocacy group. No information is available on the whereabouts of Ramiel Bet Tamraz, Amin Nader Afshar, Hadi Askary, […]
Iran Levels Serious Charge against Noted Church Leader, Beats Another
Pastor faces fabricated charge of “acting against national security.”
August 2, 2016 By - Leave a Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – Iranian authorities charged a well-known pastor with “acts against national security” and beat another as persecution of Christians continued the past month. Youcef Nadarkhani, a pastor once charged with apostasy and then acquitted in 2012, was charged with acting against national security. Summoned to the 13th Branch of the Revolutionary […]
Imprisoned Christian in Iran Hopes for Appeal; Inmate Returns after Medical Leave
Separately, incarcerated woman on hunger strike wins medical furlough.
July 7, 2016 By - Leave a Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – A convert from Islam sentenced to five years in prison on a concocted charge of “disturbing the national security of Iran” is expected to be granted an appeal this month after waiting more than a year for a hearing. Although there is no evidence that any action will be taken […]
Christian Prisoner in Iran Begins Hunger Strike over Denial of Medical Treatment
Woman with heart condition incarcerated for role in house-church movement.
June 1, 2016 By - 2 Comments
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – A convert to Christianity imprisoned for her involvement in the Iranian house-church movement has gone on a hunger strike to protest denial of needed medical treatment, religious freedom advocates said. Maryam Naghash Zargaran, 36, started her hunger strike on Friday (May 27) because a prosecutor has repeatedly denied permission to […]
Amid Crackdown, Prisoner in Iran Encourages Faithful to Stand Strong
Christian sneaks out message to flocks increasingly without pastors.
April 1, 2016 By - 1 Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – In the face of a crackdown that has crippled Iran’s house-church leadership, an imprisoned convert from Islam has managed to sneak a message of encouragement to Iran’s Christians. With Iran’s house churches mushrooming even as the government has imprisoned or harassed most pastors into exile, a Christian held in Rajai […]
Iran Releases U.S.-Iranian Pastor Saeed Abedini in Prisoner Swap
Wife, children excited to see him after more than three years of imprisonment.
January 16, 2016 By - Leave a Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – Iran released U.S.-Iranian pastor Saeed Abedini today, more than three years after authorities arrested him on charges of “threatening national security” by planting churches, according to several sources. Abedini was released along with four other prisoners, including Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, in a prisoner swap, Iran’s official Islamic Republic […]