ASIA/IRAN - Three evangelical Christians sentenced to six years imprisonment

Tehran (Agenzia Fides) - An Iranian Islamic court has sentenced three leaders of the evangelical house church movement to six years imprisonment: Pastor Behnam Irani, Pastor Matthias Haghnejad, and Deacon Silas Rabbani of the Church of Iran. Irani and the two other Christians, initially faced a possible death sentence but charges against them dropped. All three convicts are appealing their sentences. Irani had already suffered a previous conviction in 2011 for "acting against the State" and "acting against order". Andy Dipper, Chief Operating Officer of the Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) organization said he is deeply concerned by the six-year sentences given to Pastors Irani and Haghnejad and Deacon Silas Rabbani, and the fact that they will serve these sentences so far from their families and home towns. "We urge the Iranian government", said CSW in a statement sent to Fides Agency, "to release without delay every person who is imprisoned for their faith. Their incarceration contravenes international covenants guaranteeing freedom of religion or belief, to which Iran is party". (GV) (Agenzia Fides 21/10/2014)