Three Christian Neophytes, Ahmad Sarparast, Ayub Pourrazazadeh and Morteza Hajib, were detained by security forces in Rasht and taken to an unknown location.
According to the Campaign for the Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners; Three Christian Neophytes, Ahmad Sarparast, Ayub Pourrazazadeh and Morteza Hajib, were arrested by Rasht security forces and taken to an unknown location on Sunday, September 5th, 2021.
The arrest had happened in a house church in Rasht. Security agents raided the citizens’ homes and confiscated a number of their personal belongings, including cell phones, flashlights, books and pamphlets related to Christianity.
Mr. Sarparast and Mr. Pourrazazadeh were arrested in a house church. After their arrest, security officers searched their homes and confiscated a number of their personal belongings, including cell phones, flashlights, books and pamphlets related to Christianity.
Relatives of these citizens are said to have been threatened by IRGC intelligence agents for providing information about the condition of their loved ones. In addition, one of their relatives and other members of this house church were summoned to the Rasht IRGC Intelligence Office and interrogated.
It should be noted that despite the fact that Christians are legally recognized as a religious minority, the security services are still pursuing the issue of Muslims converting to Christianity with particular sensitivity and are dealing harshly with activists in this field.
Dealing with Christian Neophytes in Iran takes place when, according to Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Agreement on Civil and Political Rights, an individual or group has the right to freedom of religion and belief openly or secretly.