Iranian Christians faced sixfold increase in prison sentences in 2024: report

By Samantha Kamman - Posted at The Christian Post:

Three Christians rearrested for their faith in Iran were subjected to torture and asked to write letters renouncing their belief in Jesus amid the reality of a sixfold increase in prison sentences for Christians in the Islamic Republic in 2024, a new report states.

Article 18, a London-based religious freedom nongovernmental organization, released an annual report this month chronicling rights violations against Christians in Iran.

The report, titled "The Tip of the Iceberg" and released in partnership with Open Doors, Christian Solidarity Worldwide and Middle East Concern, found that Christians in Iran were sentenced to a combined total of 250 years in prison in 2024, a sixfold increase compared to 2023's report.

According to the document, 96 Christians were sentenced to a combined 263 years in prison, 37 years of internal exile and nearly $800,000 in fines.

"'At least 139 Christians were arrested in Iran in 2024 on account of their religious beliefs or activities, 80 were detained and 77 were charged,' Article 18 stated in the latest report. 'At the end of 2024, at least 18 Christians were still serving sentences related to their faith. There were also reports of detained Christians being physically tortured.'"

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