Appointed Prison Clergy Sued Priest Farshid Fathi

HRANA News Agency – The clergy of ward number 10 of Rajaei Shahr prison, who had asked for seizure of Christians’ religious books, following the refusal of prisoners has sued priest Fathi.

According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), the clergy of ward number 10 of Rajaei Shahr prison had asked the Christians to submit their religious books to him on Thursday, March 5, which was refused by prisoners.

One of the prisoners told HRANA’s reporter, “the clergy of ward number 10, with the name of Mortazavi, issued an order for seizure of Christians’ books for no reason. Christians of this ward who brought their book through official channels refused to give their books”.

This source continued, “the clergy who was angry, has fabricated a report accusing Mr. Farshid Fathi with insulting him. This can result in two more years in prison for this priest”.

Need to be mentioned, “the clergies of wards are appointed by the cultural affairs of the prison and have no rights for investigating, searching or punishing the prisoners”.

Farshid Fathi, is a converted to Christian citizen, and was a leaders of Home-Church, and has been transferred from ward 350 of Evin to Rejaei Shahr prison of Karaj, by the order of the revolutionary court on Tuesday August 19.

He was arrested in New Year Eve in a massive and organized raid, by security forces on December 26, 2010, and has been sentenced to 6 years in prison. Many Christian citizens and members of home-churches in Tehran and other cities were arrested during this raid.