Behnam Irani, Christian Prisoner in a Deteriorating Health Condition

HRANA News Agency – Behnam Irani, a Christian convert citizen in prison is in a deteriorating

health condition and prison’s authorities deny his medical care.   According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Behnam Irani has blood infection , and he might be sent to a hospital for a surgery, that may remove    part of his intestines, which are source of infection.   Behnam Irani has been arrested and tried for “crimes” against national security twice, first in December 2006 and second April 2010. Basically, in this instance, crimes against national security is holding house church services and leading Muslims to Christ. The first time he was arrested was in December 2006. He was released on bail in January 2007. On February 23, 2008 Branch 30 of the Appellate Court in Tehran gave him a five year suspended sentence. Since it was a suspended sentence he was not required to go to prison, but was free on a five-year probation.   On April 14, 2010 MOIS officers came into a house church service, assaulted him and took him into custody. A service was taking place at the time and the security officials interrogated those attending as well as confiscating Bibles, Christian literature and DVD’s. Behnam was in prison for two months then he was released on bail in June 2010. In January 2011 he was tried for and convicted of crimes against national security.   On May 31, 2011 a warrant was issued for his arrest so he turned himself into the prison and began serving a one year sentence plus his five year suspended sentence.