01/09/2021 Iran (International Christian Concern) –  The Iran Human Rights Monitor shared in their newly released 2020 Annual Report that amputation and flogging sentences were widely practiced in Iran. The report states, “At least 19 flogging verdicts were carried out in 2020 against labor activists, religious and ethnic minorities, protesters and ordinary citizens. Dozens of others were sentenced to flogging.”

Last fall, the flogging sentence of 80 lashes each was carried out against two Christian men named Mohammadreza Omidi and Zaman Fadaii. Both were issued this sentence for drinking communion wine during a church service. Last spring, an Iranian Christian woman was also sentenced to flogging after her arrest for being present in an area of protest. While her trial was not specifically regarding charges of a religious freedom nature, the judge reviewing her case made it clear that her Christian faith was not welcome.

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