An Iranian court has upheld harsh prison sentences for five Christian converts, condemning each to more than eight years behind bars for practicing and sharing their faith in Jesus Christ. The believers—identified as Hesameddin (Yahya) Mohammad Junaidi, Abolfazl (Benyamin) Ahmadzadeh Khajani, Morteza (Calvin) Faghanpour Sasi, and two unnamed individuals—were charged under Articles 500, 500bis, and 514 of Iran’s Islamic Penal Code. Their “crimes” included attending house-church meetings, joining online Christian gatherings, and participating in faith-based training in Turkey. Authorities accused them of “propaganda against the regime” and “activities contrary to Islamic law,” with one believer additionally charged for “insulting the leadership.” The group was originally arrested in June 2024 in the regions of Varamin and Pishva and later released on bail, but their appeals have now been officially denied.

This decision follows a broader pattern of religious persecution in Iran, where it remains illegal for Muslims to convert to Christianity or possess Bibles written in Farsi. Another Christian, Mehran Shamloui, recently lost his appeal and faces a sentence of more than ten years in prison. Despite Iran’s relentless crackdown, the underground church continues to grow. Reports from groups like Middle East Concern and the Hudson Institute note that Christianity is spreading rapidly across Iran, with estimates exceeding one million believers—many forced to worship in secrecy. Their courage stands as a powerful testimony of faith under fire, as these men and women risk everything to follow Christ in one of the world’s most hostile environments.

SOURCE: ICC