In November 2024, security forces carried out a series of coordinated raids on the homes of Christians in several cities across Iran. Narges Nasri, Abbas Soori and Mehran Shamioui were among at least 13 arrested as part of a campaign to suppress Farsi-speaking convert Christians. This is according to the Danish European Mission's partner Middle East Concern.
Narges Nasri, Abbas Soori and Mehran Shamloui were brought before Judge Iman Afshari at Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran on February 15, 2025, where they were charged with "membership of opposition groups", "propaganda against the system" and "propaganda activities contrary to Islamic law through foreign relations".
Narges (37) - pregnant with her first child - was sentenced to 10 years for "propaganda activities in violation of Islamic law", five years for membership of an "opposition group" (house church) and a further year for "propaganda against the state" - for posting on social media in support of the Women, Life, Freedom protest movement.
Abbas (48) was sentenced to 10 years for "propaganda activities" and five years for membership of an "opposition group".
Mehran (37) received an eight-year sentence for "propaganda activities" and two years and eight months for membership of an "opposition group".
They were also sentenced to deprivation of social rights and fined - Narges and Abbas 330 million tomans ($23,241) each, and Mehran 250 million ($18,261). Narges and Abbas were also banned from being a member of any group, residing in their home province of Tehran or leaving Iran for two years after their release.
While their appeal was pending, they were temporarily released on bail of more than DKK 132,795 each. According to information from the Danish European Mission, the three convicts have probably left the country. They will avoid serving the long prison sentences, but will each lose the DKK 132,795 paid as bail.
Why didn't the sentences include a travel ban?
Samuel Nymann Eriksen, Secretary General of the Danish European Mission, says: "It's surprising that the sentences didn't also include a ban on leaving the country. But it is a practice we see again and again that Iranian courts impose harsh sentences on Christians, but give the convicts a period where they can leave the country. The reasons for this practice are anyone's guess. One reason could be that the clergy is trying to communicate with several audiences at once. It sends a signal of severe punishment to the conservative segment of the electorate, but at the same time another signal to the outside world and the UN, with whom it also wants a good relationship. A practical reason could be that the prisons are overcrowded, especially after the imprisonment of many political prisoners following the Women, Life, Freedom protests. Finally, one can speculate that the Iranian clerical regime may prefer evangelizing Christians to leave the country rather than share the gospel in Iran and church growth can continue. This is also true inside prisons, where there are several testimonies of Iranian Christians sharing their faith, not only with fellow prisoners, but also prison guards."
Samuel met with Iranian underground Christians in a neighboring country to Iran just a few weeks ago. He tells me: "These people are my heroes because they risk so much because they believe in Jesus and are active in the underground church, knowing that they risk jail. There was not only time for conversation, but also time for worship and prayer. In these moments of God's tangible presence, you could tangibly feel the unity between us. While the church in Danmark has spread freedom and material prosperity, the Iranian convert Christians are at the forefront of a revival where many Muslims are becoming Christians, which the authorities are trying to stop."
In 2020, the Dutch polling institute Gamaan conducted a quantitative survey of Iranians' attitudes towards religion. According to this poll, 1.5% identified themselves as Christians, indicating that there are 1.2 million Christians in Iran in total. This number is made up of convert Christians, but also ethnic Christian minorities such as Armenians and Assyrians. The same study indicated that 8.8 percent of the population identified themselves as atheists. Furthermore, the survey indicated that 59.5 % do not pray, but only 27.4 % pray five times a day. Thus, public support for the clergy is not as strong as one might think.
Support Iran: Smuggling New Testaments
Facts and figures
Currently, at least 11 Iranian Christians are serving prison sentences in Iran. Danish European Mission's intercessors and donors ensure that families of prisoners can receive support for food, medical care and support to cover the costs of rent, water and electricity. Through the Danish European Mission, between 2011 and 2024, Danes have ensured that 217,051 copies of the New Testament have been printed, smuggled and distributed in Iran and imported into neighboring countries.
