Security forces arrested an Iranian pastor in Tehran and announced that his church was closed as a crackdown on Christians intensified ahead of June elections.
Robert Asserian was arrested May 21 during a prayer meeting at his Central Assemblies of God Church after authorities entered his house and confiscated some of his belongings, according to advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).
Farsi Christian News Network reported May 24 that agents of the Revolutionary Guard arrived May 22 and announced that the church was closed for the foreseeable future, although that was not independently confirmed.
Khataza Gondwe, Africa and Middle East director for CSW, told Morning Star News that the use of the Farsi in sermons at church makes it a particular target.
“The government’s main concern … is that Muslim Farsi speakers may attend and convert, hence the pressure to close Farsi services,” Gondwe said.
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