Photo via fcnn.com

Ali Golchin, Christian prisoner, is freed on $ 200,000 bail

After spending 87 days in custody, Ali Golchin, a Christian prisoner was released from Evin prison, Tehran, on Sunday 25th July after payment of $ 200,000 bail, reports FCNN.

According to Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN), "Ali Golchin", a young 29-year-old Christian, had been arrested on 29 April 2010 at his house in the city of Varamin. At the time of his arrest security agents searched his house and confiscated a number of books, including Bibles, and they also took a computer, his identification and personal belongings.

This prisoner of conscience spent the majority of his time in solitary confinement in the notorious Section 209 of Evin Prison. Throughout this time he was only able to meet with his family once for 10 minutes. Ali Golchin had said that during his detention he had faced long and harsh interrogation and his family reported that Ali had described his time in prison as 'unbearable'.

According to those close to him, the judicial authorities have still not only not given any reasons for Ali's 87 days detention, but also that he has not been formally charged; so why had the authorities set such a heavy bail when no charge has been brought? According to Iranian law, levels of bail should be set to suit the type of crime for which the defendant is being accused and that the charges must be defined.

This disproportionate bail has been inflicted upon the family in the form of a bond against the title deed of family property of equivalent value; it is keeping not only Ali but the whole family virtually in chains!

FCNN reported a conversation by Ali's father with VOA Persian Service in which he said that as yet the authorities have not made any statement about the reason for Ali's arrest nor have they brought any formal charges. Ali's father added that apparently having the Bibles at the basement of our house and possessing the Christian gospels were, according to some officials, the reasons for his detention.

Ali Golchin is among a number of other Christians from the cities of Tehran, Isfahan, Kermanshah, as well as some church members arrested at homes in Mashhad who have since been released, having had to sign specific commitments about their conduct or having had to make bail payments; they now all have to wait for their trial dates to be announced.

SALE! 40% OFF! How to Be Happier 7 Days a Week

TAGS: Iran Ali Golchin Evin prison bail prisoner of conscience persecution

[08/04/2010]

Print Version