There are fears that an Iranian pastor jailed for his faith could die in prison within months unless he is freed on health grounds. Release has launched an international campaign for his release.
Pastor Behnam Irani, 41, is reported to be in very poor health after regular beatings at the hands of other prisoners and guards at the notorious Karaj Ghezal Hesar prison.
He now has difficulty walking, is unable to see well and is bleeding internally from an untreated ulcer, which has caused him to lose consciousness. His family fear he could die within months, say sources for Release International, which serves the persecuted church.
Pastor Behnam, who is married with two young children, is serving a six-year jail sentence for ‘crimes against national security’. His supporters say his real crime is leading a house church in Karaj. There have also been calls for him to be tried for apostasy or leaving Islam. (Release Int.)
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