Three Christian Converts Sentenced to 41 Years in Prison

Three Christian converts named Narges Nasri, Abbas Soori, and Mehran Shamlouei were sentenced on Tuesday, March 11, to a total of 41 years and eight months in prison, fines, and deprivation of social rights due to their Christian beliefs and religious activities. According to the human rights organization 'Article 18', based on a ruling issued on Saturday, March 9, by Branch 26 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, these individuals were convicted of 'propagating activities contrary to Islamic law due to connections with foreign entities', 'membership in opposition groups', and 'propaganda against the regime' under Articles 499, 500, and 500 repeated of the Islamic Penal Code. According to these rulings, Narges Nasri, who is pregnant, was sentenced to 16 years in prison, Abbas Soori to 15 years, and Mehran Shamlouei to 10 years and eight months in prison. The human rights organization adds that Narges Nasri and Abbas Soori were each sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment, 15 years of deprivation of social rights, and a fine of 330 million tomans for 'propagating activities contrary to Islamic law'. Additionally, they received 5 years of extra imprisonment each for 'membership in opposition groups'. According to the court's ruling, they are also banned from leaving the country, residing in Tehran and neighboring provinces, and joining social groups for two years. Mehran Shamlouei was sentenced to 8 years in prison, a fine of 250 million tomans, and 15 years of deprivation of social rights for 'propagating activities contrary to Islamic law', and an additional 2 years and eight months for 'membership in opposition groups'. Furthermore, Narges Nasri was sentenced to one year in prison for 'propagating activities against the regime'. Judge Iman Afshari considered the publication and reposting of certain content on social media, including posts with the slogan 'Women, Life, Freedom', as evidence for this charge. These three Christian converts were arrested in November by the security forces of the Islamic Republic at their homes in Tehran. After their arrest, they were transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is under the supervision of the Ministry of Intelligence, and after a month of continuous interrogation, they were temporarily released on bail ranging from 2 to 2.5 billion tomans. Additionally, reports indicate that on the same day, at least 10 other Christians were also arrested by security forces in Karaj, Mashhad, Shiraz, and Bandar Abbas. The annual human rights report by the U.S. Department of State emphasizes that the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to violate the rights of religious minorities, particularly Baha'is and Christian converts. So far, dozens of Christian converts have faced imprisonment in Iran.