ICC Note: The three Iranian Christians arrested alongside Youcef Nadarkhani on May 13, have been charged by the Iranian regime with ‘acting against national security’ and ‘illegal consumption of alcohol.’ The men are all Christian converts, but because of apostasy laws in Iran, they are considered Muslim. If convicted the three are likely to be flogged.

09/14/2016 Iran (WWM): Three Iranian Christian converts have been charged with “acting against national security” and illegal consumption of alcohol during Holy Communion. (Non-Muslims are permitted to drink alcohol in Iran, but leaving Islam is forbidden, so any such conversions are not recognised.)

Yasser Mossayebzadeh, Saheb Fadaie and Mohammad Reza Omidi – all from Muslim backgrounds – were charged at a court hearing in the northern city of Rasht on 10 September. If found guilty, they are likely to be flogged. In 2012, Omidi was one of four Christians given 80 lashes after being convicted of the same charge.

Mossayebzadeh, Fadaie and Omidi were arrested on 13 May alongside Youcef Nadarkhani, a pastor once sentenced to death for apostasy, and his wife, Tina. The couple were released later that day, but the three others were detained. Nadarkhani was later also charged with acting against national security, although World Watch Monitor understands he was not obliged to attend the hearing on 10 Sep.

A verdict is expected within 10 days.

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