SHIRAZ, Iran — Iranian authorities have detained two converts to Christianity in the southern city of Shiraz, Iran, for eight weeks on suspicion of “apostasy,” or leaving Islam. In Iran, apostasy is a crime that can be punishable by death.
Mahmood Matin, 52, and Arash Bandari, 44, remain imprisoned in a police detention center known by its address, Sepah Street 100, located in the center of Shiraz. They have been there since their arrest May 15. Matin and Bandari were detained with 13 other Muslim converts to Christianity while meeting together in a park in Shiraz. The 13 others have been released but were told they have an ongoing case against them, though officials have not informed them of the charges.
A draft penal code under discussion in the Iranian Parliament in July may make the death penalty obligatory for those who leave Islam or use the Internet to encourage others to do so.
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