Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has been informed that Matthias Haghnejad, a pastor from the Church of Iran denomination, has been charged with Moharebeh, enmity against God, a crime that can be punishable by death.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pastor Matthias Haghnejad was arrested on 5 July, after Iranian security forces raided his home in Karaj at around 8.30 am and confiscated bibles, pamphlets and his personal computer. According to reports received by CSW, on 3 August Pastor Matthias was interrogated by Judge Mohammad Yari of the Sixth Branch of the Revolutionary Tribunal of Karaj for two hours before being charged with \u201cMoharebeh\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new charge against Pastor Matthias may herald a worrying escalation in Iran\u2019s campaign against converts to Christianity, who had generally been charged with \u201caction against state\u201d, \u201caction against the order\u201d or other national security crimes. Although the new Islamic Penal Code, which came into effect in 2013, prohibits capital punishment for \u201cMoharebeh\u201d in cases not involving the use of a weapon, the charge is regularly levelled against political activists from ethnic minority communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An ongoing spike in executions under the Rouhani presidency has seen eight men executed for \u201cMoharebeh\u201d this year, including Ahwazi Arab poet and cultural rights activist Hashem Shaabani and his colleague Hadi Rashedi. Those accused of this crime generally complain of having been tortured to elicit false confessions, of the denial of access to legal assistance, and of unfair trials conducted in the absence of witnesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CSW\u2019s Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said, \u201cWe urge the Government of Iran to end its harassment of Pastor Matthias. Levelling a charge of warring against God against a man whose role and calling precludes violence and emphasises service and obedience to God is unjustifiable, implausible and tantamount to an indictment of Christianity itself. These charges constitute a worrying escalation of Iran\u2019s campaign against Christians, adding a sinister new component to the regime\u2019s appalling litany of religious freedom violations. The fact that Iran continues to commit severe human rights violations, including executions without due process and on vague charges, while simultaneously seeking improved relations with other nations, is a matter of utmost concern. The international community must insist on discernible and consistent improvements in human rights, and on the upholding of rights stipulated in international covenants to which Iran is party, as benchmarks for improving bilateral and multilateral relations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For further information or to arrange interviews please contact Kiri Kankhwende, Press Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on +44 (0)20 8329 0045 \/ +44 (0) 78 2332 9663, email kiri@csw.org.uk or visit www.csw.org.uk.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a Christian organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Notes to Editors:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. While \u201cMoharebeh\u201d is generally commonly translated as \u201cenmity against God\u201d, the Iranian Government describes it as a crime in which \u201ca person brandishes or points a weapon at members of the public to kill, frighten and coerce them\u201d.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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