Five
Iranian Christians were arrested by Intelligence Ministry (VEVAK)
agents on 26 August at a picnic in an area 90 miles east of Tehran.
Amin
Afshar Naderi, Hadi Asgari, Amir Saman Dashti, Mohammad Dehnavi, and Ramil Bet
Tamraz were arrested while picnicking with their wives in a private garden in Firouzkooh.
In a
comment to the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran,
Mansour Borji, spokesperson for the Council of United Iranian
Churches (HAMGAAM), said that VEVAK agents also confiscated three
bibles and assaulted Amin Afshar Naderi after he asked whether they had a
warrant to enter the private garden. He emphasised that "the
arrested individuals were not conducting a religious meeting and had gathered
only for a good time."
The
detainees are currently being held in Evin Prison in Tehran. Four are reported
to be converts to Christianity.
Ramil
Bet-Tamraz is the son of Victor Bet-Tamraz, a prominent Assyrian pastor and
former leader of Shahr-Ara Pentecostal Church, who was arrested on
Christmas Eve 2014 along with Mr Naderi and others, and
was accused of illegally printing and distributing bibles for missionary
activities. According to Mr Borji both men were later released on bail.
In
a comment to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) Mr Borji added,
"The crackdown on Protestant Christians in Iran has continued under
President Rouhani and in fact has worsened in the last few months. Any
gathering of Christians, including social gatherings, such as birthday or
engagement parties, is also perceived by Iranian security officials as a
potential underground church activity and threat against national
security." Mr Borji also pointed out that some of the recently
arrested Christians, "including the five arrested in Firouzkooh, are
former members of the official churches which were forced to shut down and
cease their services in Farsi language.”
CSW’s
Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said, "The fact that these men were
arrested while enjoying a day out with their wives illustrates the
unacceptable level of harassment endured by Iran's Christian
community. In addition, the unwarranted assault on Mr Naderi following a
valid request for a warrant indicates that Christians continue to be
mistreated with impunity. Their arrest while enjoying normal social interaction
justifies the conclusion that in reality these men were detained solely on
account of their faith. We call for their unconditional release and once
again urge the international community to press Iran to release all
prisoners of conscience and to respect the right to freedom of religion or
belief, as articulated in its constitution and international treaties to which
it is signatory. "