Iran News ( 8 Christians were sentenced to 6 years in prison for praying ) National security threat ?

Published on Sunday, 21 July 2013 11:32

                      

 

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NCRI - Advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reported that the eight members of the Church of Iran were sentenced heavy imprisonment in Iranian city Shiraz, on July 16. They were accused of their “action against the national security” and “propaganda against the system” – charges typically leveled against Muslim converts to Christianity in Iran.
Iranian Christian leaders denied that the eight had any involvement in politically subversive activity. It is reported by the Morning Sun in Istanbul.
Seven of the convicted persons were arrested by security forces from an evening prayer service. The eighth, Massoud Rezaid, was arrested six days later.
The sentenced persons are Mohammad Roghangir , Massoud Rezaie , Mehdi Ameruni ,Bijan Farokhpour Haghighi , Shahin Lahooti , Suroush Saraie , Eskandar Rezaie and Roxana Forugh and were sentenced different terms of imprisonment of 6 years to 1 year.
The sentencing of the eight follows enormous bail terms a previous judge handed them, causing severe financial hardships to family and church members. To pay these bills, many put down title deeds to their homes. The bail amounts ranged between $80,000 and $200,000, creating hardship for those who assisted in raising the money. CSW said that the high price was intentionally designed to financially punish Christians.
The sentencing comes a month after the presidential election of Hassan Rouhani.
CSW press officer Kiri Kankhwende told Morning Sun. “It is now common practice to subject religious minorities to political charges, as any alternative belief system is deemed a threat to the theocratic state,”
Mervyn Thomas, CSW chief executive, called for the group’s unconditional release of those arrested.
In a press statement he condemned it and said., “ It is both disappointing and deplorable that the Iranian regime persists in detaining religious minorities on political charges, as has occurred once again in this case.” He claimed, “These Christians in no way constitute a threat to the state.”
On a number of occasions, the Iranian Resistance has called on all international bodies, human rights advocates particularly the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief and Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, to condemn the detention and torture of Christian leaders and followers of various faiths.
The Iranian Resistance has urged UN Security Council to take necessary measures to stop persecutions of religious minorities in Iran