Pastor Nadarknani Apostacy Verdict Expected from Iranian Supreme Leader in Mid-December
Sources close to the Yousef Nadarkhani apostasy case have informed Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) that Pastor Nadarkhani’s lawyers have been told to expect a decision from the Supreme Leader in mid-December, occasioning fears that it may be issued to coincide with the Christmas season in order to avoid an international outcry. The court in Rasht has sent two letters regarding the case to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, but is still awaiting a response. Other members … Read entire article »
Filed under: Christian, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Iran, Persecution
Iranian House Church Leader Noorollah Qabitizade Is Still Being Held In Ahwaz Prison
By Dan Wooding – Founder of ASSIST Ministries AHWAZ, IRAN (Assist News Service) – News has just come out of Iran that Noorollah Qabitizade, an Iranian Christian convert and house church leader, whose condition had been unknown for the past 10 months, is being held in Ahwaz prison in Khuzestan Province, “with an unknown fate.” According to the Iranian Christian news agency, Mohabat News (www.mohabatnews.com), he has “been subjected to interrogations by security authorities from the Intelligence … Read entire article »
Filed under: Assist News Service, Christian, Iran
Crackdown on Church Intensifies as Iran Attempts to Convert Christian Prisoners
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has been informed that Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, who is currently in prison awaiting a final decision from the Supreme Leader of Iran regarding a death sentence for apostasy, was recently presented with Islamic literature, allegedly as part of an official campaign to convert Christian prisoners. Local sources report that a renewed campaign of harassment of Iranian Christians is underway in Iran, and that several members of the Church of Iran denomination have … Read entire article »
Filed under: Christian, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Iran
Iranian House Church Stormed by Security Officers
By Jeremy Reynalds Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service IRAN – Iranian security forces have stormed a house church and arrested 10 members. According to the Iranian Christian News Agency Mohabat News, the incident occurred on March 17, when 17 security officers stormed a house in the city of Kermanshah and arrested 10 Christians. Kermanshah is located in the western part of Iran near Iraqi border, 590 KM from Tehran. Mohabat News said while there has been no explanation offered by the Iranian Government’s security sources, it is likely that these 10 house church members were arrested because of their Christian beliefs and participation in church gatherings. That, the news agency commented, is is in line with the recent wave of repressive actions taken by the government against … Read entire article »
Filed under: Assist News Service, Christian, Iran, Persecution
New Christian Beaten and Tortured in Iran
By Jeremy Reynalds Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service IRAN (ANS) – A new Christian, and an active member of a house church ,was arrested by Iranian security forces. During his interrogation, he was severely beaten and tortured at the town of Shahryar’s Detention Center. According to a story by Mohabat News, an Iranian Christian news agency, the man was released on condition he not seek medical treatment. Mohabat said its sources say Alireza Najafzadeh is 23, and married with a newborn child. He was a resident of Shahryar, in the vicinity of the city of Karaj, and a member of the local house church of Karaj, about 25 km from Tehran. In Sep. 2010 he was arrested and charged with Christian activism. In addition to his beating, Mohabat said, Najafzadeh was tortured physically and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Assist News Service, Christian, Iran, Persecution
