A religious freedom advocacy organization reported on Tuesday, December 6, the arrest of Jawad Amini, a Christian convert, by the intelligence forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The London-based 'Article 18' organization stated that Mr. Amini and one of his relatives were arrested on November 18 and transferred to a prison in Sari. According to Article 18, IRGC vehicles surrounded the cars of Jawad Amini and his uncle, confiscated the keys from this Christian convert, and entered his home without prior notice, causing panic and anxiety for his wife and 10-year-old daughter. The human rights organization also reported that 12 Christian citizens were summoned to the prosecutor's office in November to present their defenses against accusations such as 'promoting religions contrary to the true religion of Islam' and 'collaborating with hostile governments against the Islamic Republic.' These individuals were part of 20 Christian citizens who were arrested during 'coordinated raids' by security agents on their homes in the cities of Nowshahr and Chalus around last Christmas. Additionally, it has been reported that the number of arrested Christians in Iran increased from 134 to 166 in 2023 compared to the previous year. Despite the recognition of three religious minorities—Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians—in the Iranian Constitution, Christian converts are not recognized and are deprived of many civil rights in Iran. Recent sentences include a Christian convert in Karaj receiving a 10-year prison sentence, Mojdeh Fallahi being arrested in Shiraz by intelligence agents, and prison sentences issued for five Christian converts by the Revolutionary Court in Ahvaz. Yasin Mousavi, a Christian convert, was sentenced to fifteen years in prison for 'promoting Christianity.' Keyvan Rahimian, a Bahai citizen, stated that the greatest discrimination is the deprivation of service for the welfare of Iran. Laleh Saati, a Christian convert, was sentenced to two years in prison.
Organization 'Article 18': A Christian Convert Arrested by the Revolutionary Guards
Jawad Amini, a Christian convert, was arrested by the IRGC in Iran, highlighting ongoing religious persecution. The incident is part of a broader trend of increased arrests of Christians in the country. This situation underscores the lack of recognition and rights for Christian converts in Iran.
👥 Key Players
⚡ Actions
📰 What Happened
IRGC arrested Christian convert Jawad Amini and relative in Sari for promoting Christianity.
- Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) arrest Jawad Amini, relative
- Iranian prosecutor's office summon 12 Christian citizens
- Iranian security agents arrest 20 Christian citizens
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The arrest of Christian converts highlights ongoing repression of religious freedoms in Iran.
📝 Key Evidence
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%