Judge Zargar had the opportunity to protect the religious freedom of Christians by eliminating this language from the verdict. Instead, he upheld the sentence and further entrenched a dangerous precedent. Iran’s constitution claims to protect the rights of recognized Christians, but Fadaei’s verdict shows how the core beliefs of Christianity are viewed as contradictory to the Islamic Republic of Iran. As a result, Judge Zargar ensured that Fadaei would face incarceration in Iran’s most inhumane jails.
A more recent case highlights how Iran’s judiciary threatens family members of Christian leaders in order to further persecute the Church. Dr. Mike Ansari from Heart4Iran, an Iranian Christian partnership platform, explained, “Most of the arrested individuals are coerced to divulge information about their house church activities and those of their friends, under threat of criminal prosecution or arrest of family members… Therefore, the case of every arrested Iranian believer is of utmost importance.”
Shamiram Isavi Khabizeh is the wife of Pastor Victor Bet Tamraz, a well-known church leader who is heavily targeted by the authorities. Both Shamiram and her son are facing charges in order to further pressure her husband. Shamiram is appealing a five-year prison sentence handed down against her by Judge Ahmadzadeh for “organizing small groups, attending seminary abroad and training church leaders to act as spies.”
It is believed that her appeal was heard before Judge Zargar on February 19, 2019. During the hearing, he ruled that her appeal would be heard alongside that of her husband and three other men sentenced with him. This is a common practice within Iran’s judiciary, further complicating an already convoluted system that has perfected its practice of abusing human rights. It is expected that this next hearing will occur after the Persian New Year in March.
Judge Zargar’s record of affirming the harsh sentences of Christians does not bode well for the cases currently active on his docket. The tactics used during his active appeal hearings add a deeper sense of concern. We must continue to pray for those like Shamiram, who are currently waiting in his court’s halls, hopeful that their appeal will have a positive outcome.
*Judge Ahmad Zargar’s name is sometimes reported as Judge Ahmad Zardar
For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org