Iranian pastor Fathi freed from prison

Iranian pastor Fathi freed from prison

Iranian pastor Farshid Fathi has been freed after five years imprisonment in Tehran because of charges linked to his Christian faith.

Fathi was released Dec. 21, 2015, from Rajai Shahr prison in Gohardasht, Iran, five months after prison authorities informed him he would be due for early release in December, although no reason for the early release has been reported. Previously, he was scheduled for release in December 2017 after authorities arrested him Dec. 26, 2010, for “acting against national security through membership of a Christian organization, collection of funds and propaganda against the Islamic Regime by helping spread Christianity in the country.”

Fathi’s original sentence of six years was extended by a year in December 2014 on false charges. He had been injured in an attack by Evin prison guards April 17, 2014, and was transferred to the Rajai Shahr prison in August 2014 for unknown reasons.

(BP)