Several Iranian Christians have recently been imprisoned for their faith, according to Article 18, a religious freedom watchdog. Among them is Nayereh Arjaneh, who began serving her sentence on December 23 at Semnan Prison. She was convicted of “promoting deviant propaganda and teachings contrary to Islamic law” after attending a Christian seminar in Turkey. Her sentence includes five years of imprisonment, a fine of approximately $1,500, two years of internal exile, a travel ban, and additional restrictions.
She also received a second five-year prison sentence and a $500 fine for allegedly “providing financial and material support to groups affiliated with Zionist Christianity.” Article 18 reported, “During her detention, Nayereh was subjected to psychological torture, including being threatened with execution.” Her husband, Qasem Esmaili, received a 3.6-year sentence, though it has not been enforced due to his cancer treatment.
In a separate case, brothers Mahmoud and Mansour Mardani-Kharaji were imprisoned in December for attending a Christmas gathering in 2021. Another believer, Aida Najaflou, was temporarily released after a spinal injury.
