Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence has accused 53 Christians of espionage and anti-security activities. Officials allege that the group received religious training abroad and maintained ties to a foreign intelligence-backed Evangelical network.
State media broadcast footage of the detainees with confiscated Christian literature. The images displayed Bibles, New Testament copies, Christian texts, and Alcoholics Anonymous handbooks, which authorities claimed had been smuggled into the country and distributed secretly among believers.
Rights Groups Condemn Accusations
Mansour Borji, director of Article18, a London-based religious freedom watchdog, criticized the accusations. He described the claims as “a very clear example of hate speech” and argued they unfairly criminalize both the detainees and the broader Evangelical community in Iran.
Borji emphasized that the televised allegations had not been proven in court. He said the broadcast violated the fundamental rights of the accused and condemned the use of forced confessions, noting that such confessions are rarely shown on national television.
Restrictions on Persian-Speaking Christians
Borji highlighted the challenges faced by Persian-speaking Christians, who lack recognized churches in Iran. Many must gather abroad or rely on online services. He noted that some recently arrested Christians had attended a religious event in a neighboring country, as domestic gatherings remain restricted. Several were detained upon their return.
In June, five Christians faced charges of “gathering and collusion” and “propaganda against the Islamic Republic.” Their indictment cited activities such as praying and baptizing, while the Bible was labeled a “prohibited book.” In April, two converts received 12-year prison terms for possessing multiple Bibles.
Crackdown Linked to Regional Conflict
Authorities justified the recent arrests as part of a broader security crackdown after the “12-day war” with Israel. Officials alleged that the detainees were trained by U.S. and Israeli churches under the “Zionist Christian evangelical movement.”
During this period, police reported detaining over 21,000 suspects nationwide. Iran’s estimated 800,000 Christians, many of them converts, continue to practice their faith with limited legal recognition.
Currently, 11 detainees have been released on bail, while more than 40 remain imprisoned. Over 60 others are already serving sentences for activities linked to their faith.
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Iran Charges 53 Christians with Espionage Amid Bible Smuggling Allegations
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