Text: Middle east concern and Article 18
On May 7, Narges Nasri, Abbas Soori, and Mehran Shamloui were informed that their appeal had been rejected. They were given five days to report to Evin Prison in the Iranian capital, Tehran, where they are to begin serving their combined prison sentences of more than 40 years.
In November 2024, security forces carried out a series of coordinated raids on the homes of Christians in several cities across the country. Narges, Abbas, and Mehran were among at least 13 people arrested in yet another campaign to suppress Farsi-speaking Christians.
Convicted for Membership in a House Church
Narges, Abbas, and Mehran appeared before Judge Iman Afshari at Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran on February 15. They were charged with “membership in opposition groups,” “propaganda against the system,” and “propaganda activities contrary to Islamic law through foreign affiliations.”
Narges (37), who is pregnant with her first child, was sentenced to 10 years for “propaganda activities contrary to Islamic law,” five years for “membership in an opposition group” (a house church), and an additional year for “propaganda against the state.” The latter charge was related to her support on social media for the protest movement “Women, Life, Freedom.”
Abbas (48) was sentenced to 10 years for “propaganda activities” and five years for membership in an “opposition group” (a house church).
Mehran (37) received an eight-year sentence for “propaganda activities” and two years and eight months for membership in an “opposition group.”
The verdicts against the pregnant Narges and the two others were handed down on March 8, International Women’s Day.
Stripped of the Right to Pray in Their Home Province
They were also sentenced to the loss of social rights and fined. Narges and Abbas were each fined 330 million tomans (approximately $3,500 or just under NOK 35,000), while Mehran received a fine of 250 million tomans (around $2,750 or just under NOK 27,500). In addition, Narges and Abbas were banned from joining any group and stripped of their right to reside in their home province of Tehran. They are also barred from leaving Iran for two years after their release.
While their appeal was under review, they were temporarily released on bail—each having to pay more than $20,000.
The ruling rejecting the three Christians’ appeal is dated April 23. According to the organization Article 18, the appeal was denied “due to the scope of their activities and their harmful effects.”
The appeals court’s decision is the latest example of the use of vague legal language—something commonly seen in cases against Christians. This issue was highlighted by the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Assembly and Association, Gina Romero, last week in London, during the launch of Article 18’s annual report, Tip of the Iceberg.
A Call to Prayer
- Middle East Concern calls for prayer. Please pray:
- That God will strengthen and guide these converts in the decisions they must make.
- That Narges and her unborn child will be protected amid the stress they are enduring.
- That those involved in the harassment and persecution of Christians will repent and come to faith in Jesus Christ.