Iran: Imprisoned Christian up for appeal

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) - A convert from Islam who was sentenced to five years in prison for "disturbing the national security of Iran" is praying for an appeal after waiting more than a year for a hearing on his sentence.

According to Morning Star News, Ebrahim Firoozi is hoping for a hearing by the end of the month.

Last year a judge in Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court sentenced Firoozi to five years in prison for "creating a group with the intention of disturbing national security" by organizing Christian meetings.

Firoozi is now being held in Rajaee Shahr Prison in Karaj. He was first put under surveillance by Iranian security when he was arrested for leaving Islam in 2010. A Revolutionary Court convicted Firoozi of "propaganda against the state" and sentenced him to five months in prison. Firoozi was released in 2011, but arrested again for propaganda in 2012 for trying to create a website about Christianity, for which he was sentenced to one year in prison and two years in exile.

Firoozi was arrested a third time on Sept. 16, 2013 and has been held in Evin Prison since April 2015.