Iranian Christians Amin Khaki, Milad Goudarzi and Alireza Nourmohammadi have each had their prison sentences reduced to three years by the 12th Chamber of the Court of Appeal of the Revolutionary Tribunal in Karaj. The men had appealed for their original sentences to be overturned, but this was rejected in a decision which was communicated on 26 August. They are now exploring avenues for a further appeal.
The three men from the Church of Iran denomination were initially sentenced to five years in prison on 26 June after being convicted of “engaging in propaganda against the Islamic regime.” They had stood trial in Karaj on 21 June on charges of “sectarian activities” under a new amendment to the Iranian Penal Code.
On a related note, CSW learned that Pastor Matthias Haghnejad has been transferred from Evin Prison in Tehran to a prison in the north of Iran. CSW’s sources believe that this could be a positive development, as it will make prison visits easier for the pastor’s family, who live in the north on the country.
Pastor Haghnejad was initially sentenced to five years in prison following a brief trial on 23 September 2019. Eight other members of the Church of Iran also received five-year sentences. All were convicted of “endangering state security” and “promoting Zionism.” The sentence was upheld on 25 February 2020 without a hearing, after Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamanei, reportedly permitted the judge to bypass court procedures.
CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: “While we welcome the reduction in the length of the sentences handed to Amin Khaki, Milad Goudarzi and Alireza Nouromohammadi, we remain deeply concerned by the lack of due process in these cases, as well as that of Pastor Haghnejad. CSW believes that the charges against these men are without basis, and we continue to call for their immediate and unconditional release. We urge Iran to ensure due process, judicial independence, and to cease equating peaceful adherence to minority faiths with threats to national security. We also urge Iran to ensure freedom of religion or belief for all citizens, and to end discrimination, harassment, and even persecution of religious minorities.”