Report: Iran Detained Dozens Of Christians In 2021
At least scores of Christians were arrested, and dozens endured prison in Iran last year, but many cases go unreported, faith rights groups said Wednesday.
Christian Persecution – Middle East
Iran Releasing Jailed Converts, But Exiles One
Iran has released two Christian converts who served a one-year prison sentence linked to their membership of a house church, but one of them still faces two years’ internal exile, Christians told Worthy News.
Iran: Pastor sent back to prison for six years following Supreme Court review of charges
A pastor in Iran who was released from prison while the Iranian Supreme Court reviewed his conviction for “endangering state security” and “promoting Zionism” has been taken back to prison to serve a six-year sentence, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Iran Frees Nine Christian Converts
Iran released nine Christian converts from prison, including a pastor, after the Islamic nation’s Supreme Court said their involvement in house churches doesn’t threaten national security, well-informed Christians told Worthy News Tuesday.
Iran Grants New Year’s Leave To Jailed Convert And Other Christian Prisoners
Iranian authorities have temporarily released another jailed Christian convert after an order to free Christian prisoners for Christmas and the New Year, Worthy News learned Wednesday.
Iran Frees Christian House Church Pastor
Iran released a pastor from prison Thursday after the Iranian Supreme Court ruled that involvement in house churches “should not be considered a crime against national security,” Worthy News learned.
Iranian judiciary grants Christian prisoners 10 days’ holiday
Christian prisoners in Iran were treated to a rare act of mercy by the state as the country’s judiciary granted them 10 days’ leave to be with their families during the Christmas holidays, Radio Free Europe (RFE) reports.
Syria: Christians rebuild church decimated by ISIS
Christians have helped to rebuild a church in the Syrian city of Raqqa that was destroyed during the 2014-2017 Islamic State reign of terror there, CBN reports. The Raqqa church was rededicated following an effort led by the Free Burma Rangers aid agency and the Grace Community Church in Fulton, Maryland.
Iran Orders Review Of Jailing Christians
A top Iranian court has ordered a review of five-year prison terms given to nine Christian converts who left Islam, according to sources familiar with the court’s thinking.
Iraqi Kurdistan: Christians flee their homes under Turkish airstrikes
Christian villages in Iraqi Kurdistan have been “emptied” in the last year as Turkey’s air force continues to bomb Kurdish forces connected to the PKK movement, Asia News reports. Christians have also fled from the cities of Zakho, Dohuk, Erbil, only to return because of airstrikes on the areas they escaped to.
Iran persecution: Two believers jailed for “promoting Christianity”
Following unsuccessful appeals, on November 11 two Christian converts from Islam were summoned to prison in Iran to serve one-year sentences they received in February for “promoting Christianity,” Christian Persecution reports.
Iran Pastor Starts Serving 5 Year Prison Term
A pastor from Iran’s main evangelical house church movement was behind bars Friday after he was summoned to start serving a five-year jail sentence, his supporters confirmed.
Iran Christian Converts Ordered To Start Prison Terms For Faith
Three Iranian men who abandoned Islam to embrace faith in Christ were summoned by Iranian authorities to serve three-year jail sentences, Christians told Worthy News.
Jailed Iranian Christians Ask Tehran To Allow Free Worship
Two jailed Iranian Christians have asked Iran’s Islamic authorities to allow them to worship Christ in freedom.
Couple Flees Syria After Threats For Converting To Christianity
A woman who left Islam for faith in Christ and her Christian husband have fled Syria after police violence and threats from Muslim family members, friends, confirmed to Worthy News.
Iranian Christian Found, Released After Month Detention
An Iranian Christian who went missing for nearly a month after his detention by Iranian authorities has been released and found, Worthy News learned Wednesday.
Iran Releases Two Jailed Christians, But Concerns Remain
Iranian Christians are “thankful” that Iran has released two jailed Christians on bail but remain concerned about the whereabouts of their friend, Worthy News established Wednesday.
Iran: Three more Christians arrested from persecuted community
Another three Christian men from a heavily persecuted believing community in Iran were arrested by Iranian intelligence authorities on September 5 and taken to an unknown location for interrogation, International Christian Concern reports.
Iran persecution: Court reduces prison sentences of three Christians
A court in Iran has reduced the five-year prison sentences of three Iranian Christians who were appealing against their convictions for engaging in anti-Islamic propaganda, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports. Amin Khaki, Milad Goudarzi, and Alireza Nourmohammadi each saw their prison sentence reduced to three years, although their overall appeal was denied.
Iraq Persecution: Christians wary of outsiders arriving their community
Traumatized by the invasion of ISIS in 2014, Christians in Iraq remain nervous of outsiders, International Christian Concern reports. Constituting one of the oldest believing communities in the world, the Christians of Bartella near Mosul are reportedly wary of the influx of new arrivals to their district.