MONDAY, 08 JULY 2013
Mostafa Bordbar, a Christian convert, was tried in the Revolutionary Court in Tehran. He is one of several Christain prisoners currently being held in ward 350 of Evin prison for their faith.
According to Mohabat News reporters, the trial of Mohammad Hadi (Mostafa) Bordbar was held on June 9, 2013 at branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, judged by Mr. Pir-Abbasi. Mostafa Bordbar is a resident of Rasht and was arrested on December 27, 2012.
The court announced his charges as "illegal gathering and participating in a house church". As Ms. Shima Qousheh, his lawyer and a member of Iranian Human Rights Commission says, if Mr. Bordbar is found guilty, he can be sentenced to anywhere from 2 to 10 years in prison. However, the court has not issued its final verdict yet.
Minutes before his trial, while handcuffed and in prison uniform, he was allowed to have a short visit with his fiancé and his parents. However, no one other than his lawyer was allowed to enter the court room. He is currently held in ward 350 of Evin prison where other Christian prisoners, Farshid Fathi, Saeed Abedini andAlireza Seyyedian are held as well.
Mr. Bordbar who is 27 years old, was arrested when Iranian security authorities attacked a Christian house gathering held to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.
Five years before that incident, he had also been arrested in Rasht for converting to Christianity and participating in a house church. His interrogator at the time, condemned him for "apostasy". However, he was temporarily released on bail after his case passed through all legal processes. This condemnation still remain in his record (the supporting document has been received by Mohabat News).
Judge Pir-Abbas, the judge working on Mr. Bordbar's case, is the one who sentenced Saeed Abedini, the Iranian-American pastor, to eight years in prison for "starting a house church aimed to disrupt national security".
Prior to this, three Christian prisoners, Mostafa Borbar, Farshid Fathi and Alireza Seyyedian wrote a letter to the newly elected Iranian president, Mr. Hassan Rouhani expressing their hope for religious freedom under his presidency. They wrote to him, "We hope that under your presidency we won't have to suffer for our faith in Jesus Christ and his Gospel".
In their letter to Mr. Rouhani they also wrote that, "When you take control of this respectful position, we hope that with God's help, respect and honor will return to the name of Iran and freedom will be given back to religious minorities, especially Christians".
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