Over the span of a month and a half, approximately seventy Christian converts were arrested in eleven cities.

The reports indicate that at least 69 Christians were detained, most of whom were Christian converts. However, it was also reported that two Armenian citizens were among those arrested during these security raids.

The arrest of Armenian citizens comes despite the Iranian government’s long-standing claim that Armenians and Assyrians enjoy religious freedom and the right to practice their faith. Armenians and Assyrians who share their Christian beliefs with Farsi-speaking converts face severe repression.

The arrests took place between June 1 and July 17 during raids by security forces on the homes of Christians and house churches. Previously, Article 18 reported that in late July, at least 53 Christian converts were detained during raids in five cities.

The latest reports now indicate that Christian citizens were targeted in eleven cities, including Tehran, Karaj, Aligudarz, Urmia, Rasht, Shiraz, Semnan, Garmsar, Varamin, Isfahan, and Islamshahr.

Some of the detained Christians were released after a week in custody after signing a pledge, while others were held for more than a month. In the past, security agencies have pressured detained Christians to commit to not participating in worship services with other Christians.

Several of the detained Christians were re-summoned and subjected to further interrogations a few days after their release.

The financial bail for the temporary release of some of these Christian citizens ranged from 400 million to 2 billion tomans. Additionally, security officials have pressured some of these Christian citizens to leave the country.

A group of these Christian citizens was forced to attend Islamic education sessions. In recent years, judicial authorities, in cooperation with religious seminaries, have compelled Christian converts to participate in religious and Islamic classes.

While the Iranian constitution prohibits religious discrimination, Christian converts have repeatedly faced pressure during interrogations and court proceedings to renounce their faith.

At least one of the detained Christians was dismissed from their job without explanation. The government has repeatedly deprived Christian converts of economic opportunities, including the right to continue their businesses and work.

The Iranian government has shut down Farsi-speaking churches and continues to pressure Christians by raiding house churches and Christian homes.

The campaign #ChurchIsTheRightOfAllChristians, initiated by a group of Christian converts and supported by Article 18, has questioned Iranian officials, asking, “Where can Farsi-speaking Christians worship without facing arrest and imprisonment?”

In its annual report on the situation of Christians in Iran, Article 18, in collaboration with three other Christian organizations, noted that the number of Christians arrested in 2022 doubled compared to the previous year, increasing from 59 to 134. By the end of 2022, at least 17 Christians were imprisoned on charges such as “acting against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.”