Islamic Republic of Iran sentences three converts to Christianity, including pregnant woman, to years in prison
Mar 19, 2025 9:00 am
By Robert Spencer
7 Comments
Shi’ite Islam, like Sunni Islam, prescribes the death penalty for apostasy:
Shaykh al-Kulayni narrates a sahíh (correct) hadith from `Ammãr as-Sãbãti who said: I heard (Imam) Abu `Abdullãh (as-Sãdiq) (a.s.) saying, “A Muslim from among the Muslims who renounces Islam and rejects the prophethood of Muhammad and considers him untrue, then verily his blood is lawful (mubãh) for anyone who hears that from him, his wife is to be separated from him the day he became murtad [apostate], his wealth will be divided among his heirs, and his wife will observe the `idda of a widow (i.e., four months). The Imam is obliged to kill him, and not ask him to seek forgiveness.” (Furu al-Kãfi, vol. 7, p. 257)
The Islamic Republic of Iran might not carry out this sentence in the absence of the Imam, but they’re not likely to be lenient and kind to the converts, either.
“Three Christians including pregnant woman sentenced to over 40 years in prison,” Article 18, March 10, 2025:
Three Christian converts including a woman pregnant with her first child have been sentenced to over 40 years in prison on charges related to their religious beliefs and worship meetings.
Abbas Soori, Mehran Shamloui and Narges Nasri, who is approximately halfway through her pregnancy, were sentenced by notorious Revolutionary Court judge Iman Afshari on 8 March – International Women’s Day.
Narges, who is 37 years old, received the stiffest sentence – 10 years for “propaganda activities contrary to Islamic law”, five for membership of an “opposition group” (house-church) and an additional one year for “propaganda against the state” – for having posted on social media in support of the Women, Life, Freedom movement.
Abbas, 48, received a total of 15 years in prison – 10 years for “propaganda activities” and five for membership of an “opposition group” – while Mehran, 37, received an eight-year sentence for the first charge and two years and eight months for the second.
All three were also sentenced to years of deprivation of social rights, such as to health, employment or education – 15 years each for Narges and Abbas, and 11 years for Mehran – while Narges and Abbas were fined 330 million tomans ($3,500) each, and Mehran 250 million ($2,750). Narges and Abbas were also banned from membership of any group, residing in their home province of Tehran or leaving Iran for two years after their release.
The three Christians were arrested on 3 November 2024during concurrent raids by intelligence agents on their homes in Tehran, during which personal belongings including Bibles, crosses and musical instruments were confiscated. (Mehran is a musician, and the equipment the agents confiscated from him was worth around $5,500.)
The Christians were then transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is under the control of the Ministry of Intelligence.
They were released on bail equivalent to more than $20,000 each a month later, following a series of lengthy and intensive interrogations.
Their court hearing took place on 15 February at Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, where they were officially charged with “membership of opposition groups”, “propaganda against the system” and “propaganda activities contrary to Islamic law through foreign relations,” under Articles 499, 500 and 500 bis, respectively…. |
