Milad's home in Karaj was searched on December 11, 2023 by four members of the Iranian intelligence service, who confiscated his laptop and cell phone and took him in for questioning. This is according to Danish European Mission's partner Middle East Concern.
He was informed that he and his wife will be summoned to the Revolutionary Court for further questioning by the prosecutor in the coming days.
Milad had been released from Karaj Central Prison in March 2023 as part of a general amnesty granted to prisoners on the 44th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. He was serving a sentence of three years in prison (reduced from five years on appeal) after being convicted in June 2021 of "participating in propaganda against the Islamic Republic" under the recently amended Article 500 of the Penal Code.
Read also: Iranian Christian convert arrested and his home searched
Milad had already served a four-month prison sentence in 2020 for the same charge. The 2021 amendments to Article 500 increased the maximum prison sentence from one to five years. Milad is one of the first Christian converts to be punished under the new provisions for peacefully expressing his faith.
Please request that:
- God will support Milad during the interrogation and give him wisdom in his answers,
- God will encourage and comfort Milad's family,
- No new charges will be brought against Milad because of his faith and related activities,
- The Iranian authorities will stop harassing and persecuting their citizens because of their religious beliefs.
Danish European Mission improvers and donors ensure that families of Christian prisoners of conscience in Iran receive financial help to meet daily expenses such as rent, food purchases and electricity and water payments.
