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Conditional release of Christians after posting a $100,000 bail

A Christian couple who were arrested and detained for 75 days on the charges of evangelizing the Christian faith in the city of Isafahan was released conditionally after posting a $100,000 bail bond, reports FCNN.

According to new received by the Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN), Mr. Hamid Shafiee and Mrs. Reyhaneh Aghajary, who were arrested at their home on February 28, 2010 and detained for more than 75 days in a detention center in Isfahan, were released separately after posting heaving bail and commitments to the government.

Reports indicate that Mrs. Aghajary was first released temporarily from the Dastgerd prison in Isfahan on May 16, 2010, and 3 days later her husband Mr. Shafiee was released after posting a $100,000 bail, in order to return to their children.

Mr. Shafiee was held in the A-T section of the prison, which is exclusively reserved for political prisoners, and Mrs. Aghajary at the women's section and were both charged with evangelization of the Christian faith. In the coming days and months, they will be summoned by the local court to appear before a judge to review their charges and possibly face a trial on these and/ or other charges.

FCNN had reported earlier that on February 28, 2010, this Christian couple who had converted from their previous religion, while at their home, was attacked by plain clothes security officers and arrested on the spot. Their house was searched a all their personal belongings such as computers, CDs, photo albums, books and Christian literatures, and cell phones were confiscated by the government agents. The agents had to resort to pepper spraying Mrs. Aghajary, who had refused being taken in handcuffs, and took her away in a rude and violent manner.

During their ordeal at the detention center they were allowed a very limited number of visits. The first of such visits with their children and relatives took place after 40 days of imprisonment. Also, there were many reports of their impending release and freedom that had created confusion and stress among the family and the detainees. This amounted to nothing but mental and psychological torture. There are even reports that Mrs. Ahgajary had attempted hunger strike during this time in order to gain the right to visit with her children.

Newly received reports indicated that the couple is in good spirits and they are happy to be back with their children. Mrs. Aghajary has told her relatives that this period of detention has been of great spiritual value to her and she has many things to share about her experiences at a later time.

It is noteworthy to mention that Mr. Shafiee and Mrs. Aghajary have been Christians for many years and have shared with so many the joy of this great gift they have received from God. They diligently pursue their studies in the word of God and their Christian responsibilities. Now, this Christian couple is waiting to be summoned to court to face the charges they have been accused of.

It seems that this new method of collecting heavy bail bonds from Christian detainees is a new tactic by the Islamic Republic's judicial apparatus to maintain control over Christian activists.

It is puzzling that the brother of the head of the judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Mohammad Javad Larijani who is the head of the Islamic Republic's commission of the human rights, has announced recently that there are no prisoners of conscience in Iran.

It is important to mention that a young 19 years old man, Daniel Shahri, of Isafahan was arrested on April 11, 2010 by the security agents and detained in the Dastgerd prison and later released conditionally on April 24, 2010. During his detention a hastily arranged court hearing was held at which time he was charged with evangelization of the Christian faith as well as unlawful internet activities. He was also released conditionally, after posting a bail bond, and awaiting his court date in a near future.

We ask everyone to remember this Christian couple in their prayers and the resolution of their problems as soon as possible.

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TAGS: Iran charges of evangelizing Mr. Hamid Shafiee Mrs. Reyhaneh Aghajary political prisoners prisoners of conscience Daniel Shahri persecution anti-Christian violence

[05/25/2010]

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