Iran
In the last year there has been an alarming rise in detentions of members of the evangelical house churches in Iran. Most were interrogated for lengthy periods, suffering verbal and sometimes physical abuse. Many were released after questioning, but some have spent weeks or even months in prison, suffering repeated interrogations, sleep deprivation, solitary confinement and pressure to inform on others and abandon their faith before being released on extremely high bail prior to facing trial. A few remain imprisoned. One has been imprisoned for over nine months, with no official charges brought against him.
Another, Pastor Nadarkhani, was arrested in October 2009 while attempting to register his church. He was tried and found guilty of apostasy (abandoning Islam) in September 2010 and sentenced to death. He is now faces possible execution, and awaits a final decision by Iran’s Supreme Leader.
Iran executes more people per year than any other country except China, and many members of the country’s ethnic and religious minorities are currently on death row. Executions are often carried out without prior notification to lawyers, families, or even the prisoners themselves.
Latest news
Iran: Christians returned to jail after High Court upholds sentence for conversion 10/05/2013
Iran: Update: Farshid Fathi, Behnam Irani and Saeed Abedini – imprisoned for their faith 06/05/2013
Iran: Pastor Abedini moved to solitary confinement 01/05/2013
Thank you for fighting for Farshid – please keep going! 26/03/2013
One week to free Farshid 14/03/2013
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Response magazine
"Thanks to you, I have the enormous joy to be with my wife and children again" 01/11/2012
Pastor Nadarkhani receives worldwide support 01/05/2012
CSW’s advocacy and campaigning triggers tidal wave of global action 01/11/2011
Iranian Christians urgently need your prayer 01/05/2011
"I know that I am not alone" 01/12/2009
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Prayer diary
The right to choose your faith 07/07/2013
Pray for Iran 10/02/2013
Faith Focus: Pray for the persecutors 06/01/2013
Pray for Iran 18/11/2012
Iran 10/06/2012
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Press releases
Iran: pastor arrested as Farsi language church considers closure 21/05/2013
Iran: Christians returned to jail after High Court upholds sentence for conversion 10/05/2013
Iran: Pastor Abedini moved to solitary confinement 01/05/2013
Iran: Five Christians receive exorbitant bail demands 12/03/2013
Iran: Pastor Nadarkhani still alive 08/03/2013
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Reports
Iran: Summary of Concerns and Recommendations 01/06/2012
IRAN: The death penalty 01/09/2011
IRAN: Summary of Concerns and Recommendations 01/09/2011
IRAN - Mass arrests of evangelical Christians 31/01/2011
Iran - religious freedom profile 01/09/2009
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