Release of a Christian Convert Detained in Dezful

Reports indicate that Mohammad Ali Torabi, an official of the Peace Message Church in Dezful, has been "temporarily" released from prison. Kiarash Alipour, spokesperson for the "Article 18 Organization for the Defense of Christians' Rights in Iran," confirmed Torabi's release in an interview with Radio Farda on Thursday, December 2. Mohammad Ali Torabi was arrested on Tuesday, October 10, 2017, at his workplace in the "Qal'eh Seyyed" area of Dezful and was transferred to Ahvaz. Previously, the "Mohabat News" website, which covers news related to Christians, reported that Mohammad Ali Torabi and Abdolali Pourmand, two members of the Evangelical Church, were forced by prison officials to sign two blank papers. According to this website, "it is possible that the security officials aim to fabricate a case and obtain forced confessions or a way to extract a letter of repentance from them." However, no new reports have emerged regarding the status of Abdolali Pourmand, another official of the "Peace Message" house church in Dezful, who was arrested by security forces on Thursday, October 19, 2017. In recent months, several Evangelical Christians have been sentenced to long-term imprisonment. In many cases, the charges against these individuals have been "acting against national security by establishing and participating in house churches." Since the revolution, at least five church leaders have been killed in Iran, and hundreds of Christians have been interrogated and imprisoned. Printing the Bible in Persian has been banned, and some churches have been closed, with restrictions placed on church ceremonies.