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Iran: Christian convert refused parole again despite assurances

October 22, 2021

The Iranian government targets converts to Christianity because it considers them to be apostate and threats to the state. That is why some converts have been charged with offenses such as “acting against national security.” Iranian authorities regard preaching the Christian Faith as acting against the state.

The U.S. State Department has classified Iran as a “country of particular concern” for “having engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom.”

For previous ChristianPersecution.com coverage of Iran, see here.

“Christian convert refused parole again despite assurances,” Article 18, October 19, 2021:

Christian prisoner of conscience Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh has for the second time this year been refused conditional release, or even a furlough.

The Christian convert, who turned 60 in August, is eligible for parole, having served over one third of his 10-year sentence for membership of a house-church.

But although he was led to believe his conditional release was imminent, following a visit by the chief prosecutor last month, Nasser has now been informed he will not be released – not even temporarily.

Nasser’s lawyer only found out about the decision when he followed up the matter with the chief prosecutor’s office on Sunday….