His Exile Extended 11 Months, Christian in Iran Finds Warm Welcome

Ebrahim Firoozi’s term of forcible relocation now nearly three years.

(Morning Star News) – When a convert from Islam in Iran was sentenced to two years in exile in Sarbaz last year, the judge warned him that religious extremists in the remote desert town would treat him harshly. When Ebrahim Firoozi arrived in November to southwest Iran near the border with Pakistan, though, he discovered […]

Christian Begins Sentence of Exile in Remote, Islamist Area of Iran

Convert from Islam convicted of evangelizing.

(Morning Star News) – A Christian in Iran convicted of conducting evangelistic activities began a mandated two years in exile this month in a remote area on the border with Pakistan, sources said. As part of a larger prison sentence delivered in 2013, Ebrahim Firoozi, 33, was sentenced to two years in exile in Sarbaz, […]

Spike in Arrests of Christians in Iran Especially Severe this Christmas Season, Sources Say

Government trying to intimidate Iranians interested in Christianity, analysts say.

JERUSALEM (Morning Star News) – Arrests of Christians in Iran usually spike as Christmas approaches, but this year has been especially severe, sources said. More than 150 Christians have been detained across the officially Shia Muslim country in the last month, and arrests are expected to continue. “The current situation has been described by some as […]

Arrest of Converts Shows Close Surveillance of Christians in Iran, Advocate Says

Detention of two men planning to meet indicates 'close monitoring.'

JERUSALEM (Morning Star News) – Two Christian converts from Islam planning to meet in a northern city of Iran were detained on the same day, part of what rights advocates say could be part of a rash of arrests in the area. Behnam Ersali and Davood Rasooli, both of Karaj, were arrested on Friday (Nov. 16) […]

Crack-Down on Christians in Iran Continues with Two More Prison Sentences

Regime threatened by rampant growth of Christianity, advocates say.

JERUSALEM (Morning Star News) – Rights groups learned last week that two Christians in Iran have been sentenced to prison, the latest in a series of convictions on fabricated charges. Saheb Fadaei, already serving a 10-year prison sentence in Tehran, and Fatimeh Bakherti, both converts from Islam, were sentenced on Sept. 22 to 18 months and […]

House-Church Members in Iran Reportedly Sentenced to Year in Prison

Authorities continue to lash out at Christians.

(Morning Star News) – A convert from Islam in Iran said he and 11 other Christians were sentenced to a year in prison for “inclination to the land of Christianity” among other charges, according to Mohabat News. “Interrogations were obviously indicating that they were looking for confession to communications with [those] abroad, especially America, Britain […]

Christians in Iran Seized from Homes, including Violent Imprisonment of Pastor

Yousef Nadarkhani and son beaten, tasered, local reports say.

(Morning Star News) – Three Christians in Iran were arrested from their homes today and yesterday following the violent arrest of pastor Yousef Nadarkhani on Sunday (July 22), according to advocacy group Middle East Concern (MEC). Pastor Nadarkhani, a convert from Islam like the others arrested, was awaiting a summons to begin a 10-year prison […]

Hunger Strikes in Iran Protest Upsurge in Harsh Sentences, Treatment of Christians

A counter-message for the signal the government is sending.

JERUSALEM (Morning Star News) – Two Christian prisoners in Iran went on hunger strikes to protest increasingly harsh treatment of those arrested for house-church activities. Since June 2016, courts in Iran have given 11 Christians prison sentences of at least 10 years, mostly on charges related to house-church activities for converts from Islam, according to advocacy […]

Harsh Punishments Meted Out to Christians in Iran as Tehran Sends Chilling Signal

Converts from Islam sentenced to 10 years in prison.

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 […]

Christians Imprisoned in Iran Pine under Biased Justice System, Advocates Say

Converts from Islam said to face delays, denials and deceit.

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 […]