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JAILED IRANIAN PASTOR BEATEN AND TRANSFERRED TO UNKNOWN LOCATION
CT Australia
June 11 2014
By: Gabriel Ruiz
An Iranian pastor currently serving a six year prison sentence for
leading a house church has reportedly been beaten and transferred to
an unknown location.
According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Pastor Behnam Irani was
summoned by Judge Mohammad Yari, Chief of the Sixth Chamber of the
Revolutionary Tribunal at 6:30 a.m. on 7 June.
However, after noticing the summons were irregular and contrary to
judicial process, Irani rejected them and proceeded to write a letter
of protest.
He was subsequently beaten by government intelligence agents and
transferred to an unknown location before he was able to see Judge
Mohammad Yari.
CSW's Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas has called on Iranian authorities
to disclose the pastor location and provide him with any medical
treatment needed from wounds suffered as a result of the beatings.
Pastor Irani's health is deteriorating rapidly. He has been found
unconscious several times in his prison cell when visited, raising
fears for his well-being. In February this year, he underwent surgery
to treat stomach and colon complications.
"We are deeply concerned to hear of the assault on Pastor Irani and his
enforced disappearance, especially given his medical complications,"
Mr Thomas said.
"[We] urge the Iranian authorities to end assaults on prisoners, as
they violate the nation's obligations under article 10 of the ICCPR,
which states that prisoners should be treated with humanity and with
respect for their inherent human dignity."
Irani was arrested in 2011 under allegations he was acting against
the interests of national security, but persecution watch groups have
stated the real reason of his imprisonment is for running a house
church in the largely Muslim nation.
He became a pastor in 2002 and is married to Kristina, an Armenian
Christian, with whom he has two children.
According to Release International, Christians in Iran make up just
half a per cent of the population. Many churches have been closed
or restricted to conducting services in Armenian or Assyrian. Most
church meetings in Iran now take place in private homes. Christians are
discriminated against in education, employment and property ownership.
http://christiantoday.com.au/article/jailed-iranian-pastor-beaten-and-transferred-to-unknown-location/17485.htm
CT Australia
June 11 2014
By: Gabriel Ruiz
An Iranian pastor currently serving a six year prison sentence for
leading a house church has reportedly been beaten and transferred to
an unknown location.
According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Pastor Behnam Irani was
summoned by Judge Mohammad Yari, Chief of the Sixth Chamber of the
Revolutionary Tribunal at 6:30 a.m. on 7 June.
However, after noticing the summons were irregular and contrary to
judicial process, Irani rejected them and proceeded to write a letter
of protest.
He was subsequently beaten by government intelligence agents and
transferred to an unknown location before he was able to see Judge
Mohammad Yari.
CSW's Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas has called on Iranian authorities
to disclose the pastor location and provide him with any medical
treatment needed from wounds suffered as a result of the beatings.
Pastor Irani's health is deteriorating rapidly. He has been found
unconscious several times in his prison cell when visited, raising
fears for his well-being. In February this year, he underwent surgery
to treat stomach and colon complications.
"We are deeply concerned to hear of the assault on Pastor Irani and his
enforced disappearance, especially given his medical complications,"
Mr Thomas said.
"[We] urge the Iranian authorities to end assaults on prisoners, as
they violate the nation's obligations under article 10 of the ICCPR,
which states that prisoners should be treated with humanity and with
respect for their inherent human dignity."
Irani was arrested in 2011 under allegations he was acting against
the interests of national security, but persecution watch groups have
stated the real reason of his imprisonment is for running a house
church in the largely Muslim nation.
He became a pastor in 2002 and is married to Kristina, an Armenian
Christian, with whom he has two children.
According to Release International, Christians in Iran make up just
half a per cent of the population. Many churches have been closed
or restricted to conducting services in Armenian or Assyrian. Most
church meetings in Iran now take place in private homes. Christians are
discriminated against in education, employment and property ownership.
http://christiantoday.com.au/article/jailed-iranian-pastor-beaten-and-transferred-to-unknown-location/17485.htm