Iranian Christian released from prison after charges dropped

CSW has learned that Mohammadali Yassaghi, an Iranian Christian also known as Estifan, was released from prison on 25 June.

CSW has learned that Mohammadali Yassaghi, an Iranian Christian also known as ‘Estifan’, was released from prison on 25 June following a hearing at the 102nd branch of the Revolutionary Court in Babolsar, in which the presiding judge dismissed the charges against him.

Mr Yassaghi was arrested on 10 April 2018. The 52 year-old father of three was accused of ‘spreading propaganda against the establishment’ and was later transported to Babol prison in Mazandaran Province.

A member of the Church of Iran denomination, Mr Yassaghi converted to Christianity over 20 years ago. His arrest was part of an ongoing official campaign targeting the Christian community through intimidation, spurious arrests and charges, and excessive sentencing.

CSW’s Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said: “While we welcome Mr Yassaghi’s release, we reiterate our belief that he should never have been arrested in the first place. We are extremely concerned by the ongoing repression of minority religious communities in Iran. We continue to call on the Iranian authorities to cease all forms of harassment against Christians and other religious minorities, and to release immediately and unconditionally all those detained on account of their religion or belief.”