Iran: Five Christians Receive Lengthy Prison Sentences

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

TEHRAN (Worthy News) – Five Iranian Christians have been sentenced to a combined 55 years in prison amid a broader crackdown on devout Christian believers in Iran, a strict Islamic nation, sources told Worthy News Thursday.

“All of them have been imprisoned because of their Christian faith,” explained advocacy group Voice of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC).

Among those convicted are former Muslims and Christians involved in evangelism, Worthy News learned.

Although the sentences were issued on October 21, the believers only learned of them within the past two weeks, according to VOMC.

Among those jailed is Pastor Joseph Shahbazian, who had initially been sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2022 but was released one year later, Christians said.

REARRESTS AND SENTENCES TARGET CHRISTIANS

Another detainee was identified as Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh, who had previously been sentenced to 10 years in 2017 and was later pardoned in 2022.

“For unknown reasons, both of these men were rearrested in February and have since been sentenced to serve new 10-year prison terms,” VOMC confirmed.

Aida Najaflou was also arrested in February, despite suffering from serious health issues, Christians said.

“The 44-year-old Christian convert is presently suffering from various physical ailments after recently falling from an upper bunk in her prison cell, resulting in a spinal fracture,” VOMC said.

She later had to be rehospitalized after a wound from her spinal surgery became infected.

HEALTH CONCERNS IGNORED AMID PRISON TERMS

Despite these medical complications, Aida was transferred back to prison to serve her sentence.

Altogether, she was sentenced to 17 years on three charges, the longest prison term among the five Christians, the advocacy group added.

Pastor Shahbazian’s wife, Lida Alexani, who was arrested on April 12, has endured periods of solitary confinement, according to Christians familiar with her case.

“She has now been sentenced to eight years in prison,” VOMC said.

One additional Christian woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, was recently convicted and sentenced to a 10-year prison term, Christians confirmed.

ADVOCACY GROUPS CONDEMN FAITH-BASED CONVICTIONS

Addressing the sentences, Article18 director Mansour Borji said the cases demonstrate how Iranian Christians are punished solely for practicing their faith.

“These examples demonstrate clearly how Iranian Christians like Joseph, Nasser, Aida, Lida, and the fifth Christian are convicted for no other reason than their ordinary Christian activities — including wanting to share their beliefs with others and provide them with the opportunity to read the Christian holy book,” Borji explained.

Iran’s government does not legally permit conversions from Islam and considers Christian evangelism to be “a threat to national security.”

VOMC urged Christians worldwide to pray that the five believers “will tangibly sense the Lord’s comforting presence and sustaining strength as they await their release from imprisonment, hopefully before the full terms.”

The group also called for prayer that “through the lives and witness of the country’s detained Christians, their guards and fellow prisoners may respond to God’s love and grace.”

IRAN RANKS AMONG WORLD’S WORST COUNTRIES

Iran is currently ranked number 9 on the Open Doors World Watch List, an annual ranking of the 50 countries where it says it is most difficult to be a Christian.

The ranking reflects extreme pressure on Christians in all areas of life, including severe restrictions on worship, harsh prison sentences for evangelical activity, and the disproportionate targeting of believers from a Muslim background.

Iranian authorities deny wrongdoing but frequently charge Christian converts with offenses related to “national security” for practicing or sharing their faith.

Advocacy groups say the cases highlight Tehran’s ongoing use of national security laws to suppress peaceful religious expression and Christian faith in the strict Islamic nation, prompting calls for prayer and international attention for jailed Christians in Iran.

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