KARAJ, Iran — The condition of an Iranian pastor languishing in prison on charges of “actions against the Islamic state” is deteriorating, according to sources close to the prisoner.
The sources say the health of pastor Behnam Irani, a married father of two, is deteriorating rapidly, according to Jason DeMars of Present Truth Ministries (PTM).
Due to injuries sustained from beatings by prison guards and other inmates, Irani has suffered acute stomach ulcers and colon complications, according to a November report by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).
In January 2011, Irani was sentenced to a year in Ghezal Hesar, a notoriously violent prison, for alleged “actions against national security” — leading house-church worship, according to PTM.
A further danger to Irani is that the judge declared him an apostate from Islam, a verdict that could bring the death penalty. Sources close to the case have told aid agencies that officials are intentionally denying him treatment so that he will die from his injuries.
With his illnesses, he may not survive the duration of his prison sentence, according to the CSW report.
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