Shabtabnews In this dark night, I have lost my way – Arise from a corner, oh you the star of guidance.
Iranwire – An Iranian appeals court upheld prison sentences totaling more than 41 years for five Christian converts.
Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals confirmed the sentences in a September 17 ruling recently delivered to the defendants, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency.
Hesamoddin Mohammad Joneydi, Abolfazl Ahmadzadeh Khajani, and two converts who requested anonymity were each sentenced to eight years and one month in prison.
Morteza Faghanpour Sasi received eight years and 11 months.
Faghanpour Sasi was sentenced to seven years and six months for “deviant educational and proselytizing activities contrary to and disruptive of Islamic Sharia law in connection with contacts abroad,” seven months for propaganda against the regime, and 17 months for insulting the Supreme Leader.
The other four defendants received seven years and six months for the proselytizing charge plus seven months for propaganda against the regime.
Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Varamin issued the initial ruling on July 16.
The charges were based on allegations of illegal distribution of Christian books, participation in online religious training programs abroad, and publishing a caricature of the Supreme Leader on social media, HRANA said.
A separate charge of insulting the sacred has been referred to Branch 104 of Criminal Court Two of Varamin, with a hearing scheduled for October 7.
Faghanpour Sasi was arrested on June 13 and transferred to Evin Prison. Security forces searched his home and confiscated books, religious images, and his mobile phone. He was released on bail.
Mohammad Joneydi, 45, was arrested in November 2024 and held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison before being released on bail.
