Iran Hands Down Heavy Sentences to Christian Converts

Iranian authorities have imposed harsh prison sentences totaling 29 years and nine months on seven Christian convert for unknown charges.

A Revolutionary Court in the city of Ahvaz handed down the sentences against Hamid Afzali, Nasrollah Mousavi, Bijan Gholizadeh, Iman Salehi, Zohrab Shahbazi, and two other Christian converts whose identities were not disclosed.

Afzali received the heaviest sentence of ten years in prison. 

Mousavi, Gholizadeh, and Salehi were each given five-year terms, while Shahbazi was sentenced to nine months, according to HRANA human rights organization. 

The two unidentified converts were each sentenced to two years behind bars.

The report did not specify the exact charges levied against the seven. However, Muslim to Christian converts in Iran routinely face prosecution.

While Christians are recognized as a religious minority in Iran, the authorities deal harshly with those who convert from Islam to Christianity.