ICC Note: Mr. Omidi is the fifth and final Christian to be released on bail from those arrested in a series of house raids in Rasht, Iran on May 13. Omidi was the first to post bail but was refused because VEVAK were bringing additional charges against him. He and the others have not yet been informed of the charges against them, though they have all been released. Mr. Omidi was told he would be “summoned again.”

06/10/2016 Iran  (CSW): Mr Omidi was arrested during a series of raids targeting the homes of church members by Iranian intelligence (VEVAK) officers who seized computers, mobile telephones and bibles. He was summoned to VEVAK offices by telephone prior to a raid on his home.

Along with Church of Iran members Yasser Mossayebzadeh and Saheb Fadaie, Mr Omidi was held in Lakan Prison near Rasht pending payment of around US$ 33,000 in bail. Mr Mossayebzadeh and Mr Fadaie were released on 28 and 29 May respectively.  Although Mr Omidi was the first to attempt to post bail, judges had refused to accept his payment, stating that he had to remain in jail because VEVAK were bringing additional charges against him.

Mr Omidi was eventually released on 7 June. The authorities said nothing about the nature of the new charge, but told Mr Omidi he would be “summoned again.”  To date none of the men have been given reasons for their arrests, neither have they been informed of the charges they will be facing.

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