Christian Pastor Arrested in Iran
By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent
TEHRAN (Worthy News)– Iranian security forces have arrested three Christians including a pastor, according to Christian Today.
On the morning of July 5, Pastor Matthias Haghnejad was arrested in his home and secreted to parts unknown along with Mohammad Roghangir and Suroush Saraie. Several Bibles, pamphlets and a personal computer were also confiscated.
Matthias had already been imprisoned three times; Roghangir and Saraie were also jailed after they were arrested during a prayer meeting back in 2012 and later convicted of “action against the national security” and “propaganda against the order of the system”.
“These men have been targeted by the Iranian authorities in the past, and despite the political charges being levied against them, they were clearly arrested on account of their faith,” Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide Mervyn Thomas said in a statement. “We urge the Government of Iran to halt its harassment and imprisonment of religious minorities and to uphold freedom of religion or belief, as outlined in covenants to which Iran is party. In addition, the international community must hold Iran to account for the well being of prisoners of conscience.”