Netherlands-based Manna-Vandaag quoted local Iranian Christians as saying that Mohsen Namvar, 44, was detained in May “without charges” and taken to an unknown location, after police raided his house. Security forces also confiscated personal belongings, including books, his computer, printer, compact disks and money, local Christians said.
The detention follows several other arrests of Christian converts in the Islamic nation in recent weeks and months. An Iranian church leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Namvar realized he may be arrested.
“He asked me to care for his wife and children if police would decide to kill him,” Manna-Vandaag quoted the leader as saying.
EARLIER DETENTION
Namvar was already detained in 2007 because he baptized former Muslims, Christians said. Police allegedly threatened to kill him, unless he halted worship services in his home.
After his release, Namvar was hospitalized as he was unable to walk because of torture involving electric shocks, Manna-Vandaag cited Christian sources as saying. He is reportedly still recovering of an operation.
He and other Christians detained by Iranian police have been questioned about their faith and participation in house churches, BosNewsLife learned. The attacks have been linked by concerns within the government of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and conservative Muslim clerics over the spread of Christianity and the growing underground church movement in the country.
The International Antioch Ministries (IAM), which supports Iranian Christian churches, has said the number of Christians in Iran "is growing fast" with current estimates varying "from 500,000 to as high as one million." Under Iran’s strict interpretation of Islamic law, anyone who leaves Islam for another religion has committed a capital offense and could be executed.
Iranian officials have not commented on the latest case. (With reporting from the region and BosNewsLife Research).
