Vahid Hakani, Christian Convert, Released on Conditional Terms

A spokesperson for a religious freedom advocacy group in Iran announced the conditional release of Vahid Hakani, a political prisoner and Christian convert, after spending nearly three years in prison. Mansour Borji, spokesperson for the 'Article 18 Committee', stated in an interview with Radio Farda that Mr. Hakani was released on Monday, February 6, after providing a written commitment to the Ministry of Intelligence agents not to participate in activities, gatherings, and Christian churches. Vahid Hakani was arrested on February 19, 2012, along with three others and served his sentence in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz as per the Revolutionary Court's ruling. The Article 18 Committee's report on his arrest and trial states: 'Mr. Hakani was arrested in Shiraz along with Ismail (Homayoun) Shakouhi, Mojtaba Seyed Aladdin Hosseini, and Mohammad Reza (Kourosh) Partoui. The Revolutionary Court found these four guilty on June 9, 2013, of 'participating in house churches, promoting and propagating Christianity, communicating with Christian organizations abroad, propaganda against the regime, and undermining national security', sentencing each to a definitive term of three years and eight months in prison.' Previously, Ahmed Shaheed, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, emphasized the presence of several Christian citizens in Iranian prisons who have faced such conditions due to their religious beliefs. However, Iran has consistently rejected Ahmed Shaheed's reports, labeling them as 'incorrect' and 'biased'. Among the imprisoned Christians in Iran is Pastor Saeed Abedini, who also holds American citizenship. Mr. Abedini has been in prison for over two years, during which time U.S. officials have repeatedly called for his release. Barack Obama, the President of the United States, recently met with members of Pastor Abedini's family, promising them that he would work hard to bring Mr. Abedini back to his family. In this context, Vahid Hakani resumed his hunger strike, raising concerns about the continuation of his hunger strike. The annual report on religious freedom indicates that Iran remains on the 'special concern' list.