During the last three weeks, at least 12 Muslim converts to Christianity have been arrested and detained by Iranian police, said Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). At least three of them are still being held in undisclosed locations, according to several rights groups and local Christians.
Among them is also 21-year-old former Muslim Mojtaba Hussein who despite appeals from family, remains jailed in an unknown location since he was arrested in the southern city of Shiraz along with his father, brother and sister on May 11, Christians said.
His father and siblings were reportedly released later that day, but the young man’s family has been denied permission to see him or learn the reason for his arrest and detention.
"He is not cooperating with us, so he has to stay in our custody," police reportedly told family members. Rights groups and local churches say converts from Islam are often subjected to harassment, arrest and surveillance in Iran. The Iranian government has criminalized attempts by Muslim citizens to change or renounce their religion.
BAHA’I LEADERS
In addition, CSW reported, that on May 14, six members of Iran ’s Baha’i national leadership were arrested in early morning raids. "That brings the total number of Baha’i leaders being held incommunicado and without charge to seven," said CSW, adding that it "has grave concerns for their welfare."
CSW National Director Stuart Windsor told BosNewsLife in a statement that the "Iranian government must immediately release all detained Baha’is and Christians without charge and stop the arbitrary detention and systematic discrimination of non-Muslims in Iran."
The Britain-based group urged the British government and European Union "to engage with Iran on human rights, including the right to freedom of religion and belief, in bilateral and multilateral talks.”
CSW is a human rights organisation which specialises in religious freedom and says it has worked "on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs and promotes religious liberty for all." (With BosNewsLife Research).
