What Three Iranian Christians Did to Face a Possible Flogging

Three Iranian Christian converts could be flogged if found guilty on charges of "acting against national security" and illegal consumption of alcohol during Holy Communion, according to World Watch Monitor.

In Iran, non-Muslims are allowed to drink alcohol, but it's against the law to leave Islam, so the Iranian government does not recognize the conversions of the three.

The three Christians are Yasser Mossayebzadeh, Saheb Fadaie, and Mohammad Reza Omidi.

Iranian authorities arrested them May 13, along with Youcef Nadarkhani, a pastor, and his wife, Tina. Nadarkhani once faced a death sentence for apostasy.

Authorities released the couple but held the other three. World Watch Monitor reports Nadarkhani was eventually also charged with acting against national security.

Express reports the Christians are expected to appear in court this week.

Iranian authorities have detained more than 200 Christians since 2015, according to World Watch Monitor. Many are behind bars. Middle East Concern reports that authorities arrested at least 43 Christians in August alone.

"The Iranian regime is conducting a very active campaign against house churches at the moment and leaders of house churches are harassed and put under pressure," Middle East Concern's Rob Duncan said.

Meanwhile, friends of Maryam Naghash Zargaran, another Christian prisoner in Iran, report that she has returned to Evin Prison in Tehran, after her medical leave was canceled, according to Middle East Concern.

In addition, MEC reports that friends of Zargaran say she was unable to receive proper care during the medical leave.

Authorities arrested Zargaran in January 2013 in connection with her work at an orphanage, along with Saeed Abedini, a pastor who was also put in prison. Abedini was released in January this year.