On 10 September, three Iranian Christian converts were charged with ‘acting against national security’ and illegal consumption of alcohol during Communion.
Non-Muslims are permitted to drink alcohol in Iran, but leaving Islam is forbidden, so any such conversions are not recognised.
Yasser Mossayebzadeh, Saheb Fadaie and Mohammad Reza Omidi – all from Muslim backgrounds – were charged at a court hearing in the northern city of Rasht. If found guilty, they are likely to be flogged. In 2012, Omidi was one of four Christians given 80 lashes after being convicted of the same charge.
