Iranian Christian Maryam Naghash Zargaran released after four years in prison

Maryam Naghash Zargaran
After four years’ imprisonment for “violating national security”, Iranian Christian Maryam Naghash Zargaran was released from Tehran’s Evin prison last night (1 August). She was due to be released four days earlier, on 28 July, but, as Mohabat News reported, this was delayed without explanation. Naghash Zargaran, 39, a convert . . . Read More

Iranian converts appeal against lashes for ‘illegal’ Communion wine

Iranian converts appeal against lashes for ‘illegal’ Communion wine
UPDATE (10 Oct.) Three Iranian Christian converts are appealing after they were sentenced to 80 lashes each for drinking alcohol during Holy Communion. (Non-Muslims are permitted to drink alcohol in Iran, but leaving Islam is forbidden, so any such conversions are not recognised.) Yasser Mossayebzadeh, Saheb Fadaie and Mohammad Reza . . . Read More

Abedini reflects upon time in Iran prison

American-Iranian pastor Saeed Abedini has spoken out about his three and a half years in an Iranian prison, having . Abedini, who was imprisoned in 2012, described severe beatings and extensive periods in solitary confinement. He also said the judge who sentenced him had claimed he planned to use Christianity . . . Read More

Religious freedom network should be as ‘outspoken and organised’ as the extremists

Religious freedom network should be as ‘outspoken and organised’ as the extremists
In the face of rising persecution of people on the grounds of faith or belief, more than 100 parliamentarians from almost 50 countries met on 18 September in New York to discuss ways to advance religious freedoms. One hundred and thirty delegates packed into a room that was booked for . . . Read More

Iran’s nuclear programme ‘distracting’ world from rights abuses

Iran’s nuclear programme ‘distracting’ world from rights abuses
Former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on a tour of an Iranian nuclear facility.Pere Ubu / Flickr / Creative Commons   An Iranian Nobel Prize-winner has warned EU and US officials that Iran’s nuclear programme is distracting them from addressing the country’s human rights abuses. Shirin Ebadi, now living in the UK, . . . Read More

Iranian Christian jailed for 10 years freed

Iranian Christian jailed for 10 years freed
An Iranian Christian sentenced to 10 years in prison has been released after three months. Mostafa Bordbar, 27, was released Nov. 3 from Tehran’s Evin Prison after charges of participating in an “anti-security organisation” and “gathering with intent to commit crimes against Iranian national security” were overturned. Bordbar was arrested . . . Read More

EU Parliament pleads for Christian safety

The European Parliament has gone on record condemning violence against Christians in several countries. In a resolution passed on Thursday, Oct. 10, the parliament: Condemned militant attacks on Christians in Syria, and called for protection of monasteries and humanitarian support for nuns and orphans; Condemned the Sept. 22 bombing attack . . . Read More