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Eleven Christians acquitted by Iranian court for taking communion
by Joseph Ernest May 21, 2011
Newscast Media TEHRAN, Iran -- The Revolutionary Tribunal in Bandar-Anzali, arrested 11 churchgoers in April, who were then charged with "action against the order of the country" and drinking alcohol, after joining a house church meeting and taking communion wine.
The Iranian court, in its written verdict, determined that the group were taking part in a Christian ceremony and therefore within their rights under Article 13 of the Iranian Constitution, which allows Zoroastrians, Jews and Christians to "perform their religious rites and ceremonies, and to act according to their own canon in matters of personal affairs and religious education".
According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, the judge concluded that there was no evidence to suggest that the group had been acting against national security or the order of the country. The local authorities have 20 days to appeal the decision.
CSW's Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said: "In a climate where evangelical Christians are regularly targeted by the regime, this acquittal is a very welcome development.
"It is unfortunate that although the Iranian constitution clearly states that Christians are a protected minority, such protection is denied to any who do not belong to Iran's traditional churches.
"We commend the judge in this case for ensuring due process, and for recognizing that these people belong to a Christian denomination, so the exercising of their faith poses no threat to the country."
The eleven acquitted Christians are Pastor Abdolreza Ali-Haghnejad and his wife Anahita Khademi, Mahmoud Khosh-Hal and his wife Hava Saadetmend, Fatemah Modir-Nouri, Mehrdad Habibzade, Milad Radef and Behzad Taalipas, and Amir Goldoust, his sister Mina Goldoust, and his grandmother Zainab Bahremend.
CSW remains concerned over the fate of six other members of the Church of Iran in Shiraz, who are still awaiting the outcome of a consultation on their case. Add Comments>>
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