Iranian Security Officers Arrest Five Christian Converts from Islam

Two Women Converts Still In Prison

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 27, 2009) – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on May 21, Iranian security forces raided an underground house church and arrested five Christian converts from Islam in the city of Karaji, Iran.

According to the Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN), plainclothes security officers handcuffed and took the five Christians to an unknown location. The officers also confiscated several Bibles. Mr. Javad Abtahi, the leader of the church, is among the detained Christians.

This arrest comes soon after of news that two Christian women were imprisoned in March. Iranian officials imprisoned Marzieh and Maryam, who are also converts from Islam, and sent them to the notorious Evin prison. To see the detailed report on Marzieh and Maryam, see: ( /suffering/pressdetail.php?presscode=280).

Our sources indicate that Marzieh and Maryam are still in prison and Iranian officials have not brought charges against them. Please help Marzieh and Maryam by signing our petition calling for their release: ( /suffering/petitions.php)

ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa and the Middle East, Jonathan Racho, said, “ Iran should refrain from invading Christian houses, arresting converts and confiscating their properties. Iran must allow its citizens to choose what religion to follow. We call upon Iranian officials to release the five Christians arrested in Karaji as well as Marzieh and Maryam.”

Please pray for the five detained Christians as well as for Marzieh and Maryam. Pray for their immediate release from prison. Also pray for God to give them perseverance and comfort.

# # #

ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.