Sunday, 29 December 2013
Reports from Iran indicate that five Christian converts from a house-church in eastern Tehran were arrested during a Christmas celebration. Iranian Christian converts face constant restrictions and persecution.
According to Mohabat News, Iranian security authorities raided a house, owned by Mr. Hosseini, where a group of Christians had gathered to celebrate Christmas on Tuesday, December 24. They arrested Mr. Hosseini , Ahmad Bazyar, Faegheh Nasrollahi, Mastaneh Rastegari, and Amir-Hossein Ne'matollahi.
The report received by Mohabat News stated: "These Christians had gathered to worship and celebrate birth of Jesus."
The Committee of Human Rights Reporters reported that armed plain-clothes security officers raided the house-church, insulted and searched those in attendance, thoroughly searched the house and seized all Christian books, CDs, and laptops they found. They also took the Satellite TV receiver.
The authorities also searched a neighboring house , because those present were observing the raid. They insulted and beat the father of the family and warned them not to speak with anyone about what they had witnessed.
There is still no update about the whereabouts or condition of these arrested Christians.
In recent years the authorities have intensified their pressure and threats against Christians around Christmas, and increased their surveillance of churches.
Many Christian converts have been arrested or faced other persecution around Christmas in recent years. A large number of Christian converts were arrested in Tehran in the past few years as part of pre-organized attacks by government authorities.
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