This is how stalking typically works:
1. Surveillance of a suspect
Intelligence officers may have found the person by monitoring online activity, information obtained through interrogation, or through a colleague or neighbor who volunteered information to authorities.
2. Searching the home
A house church is raided, often without a search warrant. Plainclothes agents use threats, fear and violence as they ransack the house, confiscating phones, computers, hard drives and Bibles as evidence.
3. The arrest
Agents arrest all persons of interest without informing them of the charges against them. Sometimes Christians are arrested in silence: they simply disappear. Family members search hospitals or morgues for weeks before they finally get a phone call from the prison.
4. Detention and interrogation
The Christian is detained for days, weeks or months where they are subjected to interrogation. Most are subjected to verbal abuse and pressured to return to Islam. Many undergo psychological torture (solitary confinement is common) and some are subjected to physical torture or sexual abuse.
5. Release on bail
The Christian can sometimes be released on bail if they can afford it. Christians often have to surrender deeds to their houses or business licenses to afford bail, resulting in enormous financial pressure on the family. After their release, they are still monitored.
6. the trial
Christians are tried in the infamous Revolutionary Courts, where they are accused of political and security matters such as "acting against national security" or "smuggling prohibited goods (Bibles)". The accused is only allowed to choose a lawyer from a list provided to them by the courts.
7. Appeal or reduction of penalty
If you are allowed to appeal, it can take a few years for the appeal to be heard. Often the Christian is at large until the appeal is complete, where their life is in limbo. Some Christians apply for a reduced sentence in exchange for an admission of guilt and their sentence may be reduced slightly.
8. Serving the sentence
Prison sentences range from a few months to up to ten years. Punishments can also include fines, exile to remote parts of Iran, mandatory courses to lead the person back to Islam, physical punishment and/or restrictions on activities after release.
9. Released - but under surveillance
After being sentenced, Christians are unlikely to be able to continue their ministry as before because they continue to be monitored. Some stay in Iran, where they find creative, discreet ways to continue ministry. Others leave the country as refugees so they can serve more freely in the region or further afield.
10. Fertile in new ways
Christians facing persecution can carry scars for the rest of their lives, but sometimes those undergoing persecution encounter Jesus in a meaningful, new way and when they are released. Those who have suffered for their faith can credibly tell others about being persecuted because of their faith in Jesus.
Iranian Christians in prison
- At the start of 2022, four Christians were serving ten-year prison sentences, seven were serving five-year sentences, two were serving six-year, one eight-year, one four-year and two two-year sentences. In addition, some have been banned from leaving the country and exiled to remote parts of Iran after their prison sentences.
- 134 Christians were arrested.
- 61 Christians were detained.
Source: Danish European Mission's project partners Elam and Middle East Concern.
God uses Danish European Mission donors to help Iranian Christian prisoners of conscience
- A Christian prisoner of conscience is unable to contribute financially to his family, leaving them in a difficult financial situation. Through the Danish European Mission, food, medical care and support to cover the cost of rent, water, electricity and heating can be provided to families in Iran where one spouse is imprisoned for their Christian faith.
