Arresting of another Christian in Iran

In another crackdown on evangelical churches in Iran, security forces raided the home of a newly converted Christian couple in the northern city of Anzali last week and arrested the family's father, Rahmat Rostamipour.

According to the "Article 18" news agency, which deals with the situation of Christians in Iran, one of the two teenage children of the family suffers a seizure due to fear of the situation following the attack on the house of Mr. Rostamipour by twelve security officers.

Reports indicate that Mr. Rostamipour is currently in custody. He has not yet been charged, but his wife has been informally charged with "propaganda against the regime through the establishment of a house church."

 The family's personal belongings, including the Bible, Christian books, mobile phones and the family's children's educational equipment, have been confiscated by security forces.

Meanwhile, last week, during two separate actions, two other Christian converts, Fariba Dalir and Sakineh Behjati, were arrested and sent to prison.

The Iranian government has been shutting down Persian-speaking churches for years and harassing Christian churches and homes. The courts of the Islamic Revolution of Iran have sent many Christians to prison on charges such as propaganda against the regime.

In January last year, a group of UN special rapporteurs issued a letter strongly criticizing the systematic repression of Christians and expressing grave concern.

 

_{Source and Credit: Iranwire, Article 18}