By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
TEHRAN (Worthy News) - An Iranian has begun the New Year behind bars after being detained for converting from Islam to Christianity and related activities, Worthy News learned Tuesday.
Christians said Esmaeil Narimanpour, who faced previous detentions in Iran due to his faith in Christ, was arrested Christmas Eve by security forces raiding his home in the southwestern city of Dezful.
His home “was thoroughly searched, and Christian books were confiscated, even though no warrant had been issued,” added advocacy group Voice of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC).
“The next day, Esmaeil [Narimanpour] was allowed to make a short phone call to his family. While conversing with his loved ones, [he] explained that he was being held in Ahvaz,” a city about 93 miles (150 kilometers) south of Dezful, the group said to Worthy News.
When his wife and brother attempted to follow up on the case, they ended up being detained and questioned for several hours as well before being released, Christians said.
At least three other Christians were reportedly arrested around Christmas, but no details were available Tuesday.
In April 2021, Narimanpour was also detained along with three others “and tortured” by the authorities, said Christians with close knowledge about the case.
COVID PANDEMIC
“Two days later, due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, these four Christians were released on the condition that they would agree to return to custody when summoned,” recalled VOMC, which supports persecuted Christians.
“Although they were eventually cleared of any criminal offense in November of that same year, they were ordered to take "re-education" classes about Islam.”
News about his detention in Iran, a strict Islamic nation, came after Christians confirmed that another Iranian Christian convert was told to begin her sentence in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison on January 3.
Mina Khajavi, 60, was summoned to begin a six-year prison term for “acting against national security by promoting ‘Zionist’ Christianity,” Worthy News established.
Christians said these charges are regularly used against Christians involved in “house churches,” including many former Muslims.
Khajavi was reportedly detained in 2020 and sentenced in 2022 alongside Malihe Nazari, also sentenced to six years, and Pastor Joseph Shahbazian, who received a ten-year term.
Both Joseph and Malihe were released early from their sentences in 2023, sources said
PROVIDING ADVOCACY
Activists providing advocacy for the Christians said Mina was deemed unfit to begin her sentence when her ankle broke after she was run over by a car.
The incident reportedly caused her to have metal plates fitted and walk with a limp. Despite her ailments, she was required to report to prison within five days of the notice, explained Christians familiar with the case.
Christian investigators said these cases are the latest in a series of detentions of Christians held in Iranian prisons due to their faith and often held without any conviction.
Among them is Hakop Gochumyan, who has been in Evin Prison for five months while awaiting trial, Christians told Worthy News.
Although his hearing was scheduled for January 7, no details were announced about the outcome, according to trial observers.
Christians supporting the detainees appealed for prayers for early release and adequate medical attention for believers held behind bars in Iran.