Iranian Christians fleeing persecution face 'uncertain future' as Georgia rejects asylum claims

 By Samantha Kamman - Posted at The Christian Post:

Published December 3, 2024

Iranian Christian Jalal Darzi is preparing for the worst after authorities in Georgia rejected his asylum claim, a plight an increasing share of Iranian Christian converts hoping to escape persecution face as some are even being told to halt their church services.

Darzi was rejected after his second interview with Georgian officials on the basis that he had not been able to prove he is a Christian. He says the questions he was asked were geared toward Orthodox Christianity, of which he had no knowledge. When he tried to speak about his beliefs, he said he was not permitted.

"[The interviewer] said: 'When I have a question, you should answer.' A lot of times, she stopped me. I said, 'Let me talk!' But she stopped me, so I didn't carry on. I felt like it was a kind of formality, that obviously they'd made a decision before the interview," Darzi recently told investigators for a joint report compiled by leading human rights organizations.

Released Monday by Article18, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors and Middle East Concern, the document highlights the plight of Iranian Christians fleeing persecution in their home country being rejected for asylum in nearby Georgia because their faith is found not to be "genuine."


For more information on persecuted Christians in Iran, please see:

Comments