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PERSECUTION.ORG
http://www.persecution.org

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Persecution/Default.aspx?id=242772

“Iraqi Christians continue to face persecution”
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow - 9/9/2008 4:00:00 AM

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “A group representing persecuted Christians believes followers of Christ have good reason not to feel safe in Iraq.

Recently, two Iraqi Christians were kidnapped and executed, although one family had paid ransom. Jonathan Racho of International Christian Concern is not surprised. “Following the invasion of the country in 2003, Christians faced unprecedented persecution,” Racho explains. “Many Christians have been killed; many have been kidnapped.”

In other instances, churches have been bombed or threatened, and people have received letters telling them to convert to Islam, leave the country, or be killed. The threat of violence occurred even after the prime minister issued an invitation to the Christians to return.”

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http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2008/s08090054.htm

ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net — E-mail: assistnews@aol.com

Monday, September 8, 2008

“Christians from Muslim Background Charged With Apostasy in Iran”
By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “IRAN (ANS) — Two Christians from Muslim backgrounds were officially charged with apostasy last week at the Public and Revolutionary Court in Shiraz, Iran, raising fears for their continued well-being.

Capital punishment for apostasy is not codified in Iranian law, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) explained in a media advisory.

According to the Bill of Indictment obtained by Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN), the prosecutor requested the death penalty for 53 year old Mahmoud Mohammad Matin-Azad and 40 year old Arash Ahmad-Ali Basirat by evoking the judge’s constitutional obligations to refer to Shari’a law, and by citing Imam Khomeini’s book, Tahrir-ul-Vasile, which stipulates the death penalty for apostasy.

CSW said that as Mr Matin-Azad and Mr Basirat, who have been detained since May 15, await a verdict, another Iranian Christian, Ramtin Soodmand, has been held without formal charge since August 21, 2008. Mr. Soodmand is the son of the late Hossein Soodmand, who was the last Christian convert from Islam to be hanged following an apostasy verdict in 1990.

Appeals from the families of Mr Matin-Azad, Mr Basirat and Mr Soodmand for information on the men’s welfare and for their release on bail have been continually refused, CSW said.”