Around 50 Christians gathered to celebrate Christmas, most of them from Muslim backgrounds.
A group of 15 police officers and security agents interrupted the festivities. They behaved politely and asked everyone present to fill out a detailed questionnaire. Among the information requested was contact information, email and social media usernames, including password information, as well as details of how they had become Christians. Their cell phones were confiscated and they were told they would be called individually for questioning at the local intelligence office.
One of those present, Pastor Vruir Avanessian, who is of Armenian descent, was detained by the security agents and remains in custody in Evin prison in Tehran. It is reported that some of the security agents proceeded from the Christmas celebrations to Pastor Vruir's home where they confiscated computer equipment, CDs and literature. His wife and children were in the home during the raid.
There were serious concerns about Pastor Vruir's health. He has a chronic kidney disease that requires dialysis treatment twice a week. It was feared that he would not receive the necessary treatment while in prison. However, on December 31st, it was confirmed that he had been escorted out of prison to a hospital to receive dialysis treatment and then taken back to prison.
Today it is reported that Pastor Vruir was released from the infamous Evin prison yesterday, January 10.
Source: Danish European Mission's partner, Middle East Concern
