Fourteen months ago, an Iranian army colonel, Hamid Pourmand, was jailed for converting to Christianity. He was acquitted of charges of apostasy, which could have resulted in a death sentence. He was sentenced, however, to three years in prison for allegedly deceiving the military about his Christian faith. According to a November 8 report from Compass Direct, Pourmand has developed a good rapport with the guards and prisoners at the Evin Prison and has been allowed a three-day leave for a home visit each month. Despite this good rapport, Pourmand has been subject to psychological torture, including several threats that he would be imminently hanged, as well as being forced to listen to the screams of children.
Pourmand's lawyer has decided to drop any appeal of his sentence, since an appeal could possibly be perpetually delayed, giving authorities an excuse to keep Pourmand in prison. Additionally, as Human Rights Watch stated in a June 2004 report on the Iranian judiciary, "Many political prisoners ... are told that if they appeal, they will be sent back to prison or additional charges will be brought against them."
To read the full report on Colonel Pourmand, as well as more details on persecution facing Christians in Iran, click here.
(Source: Compass Direct)
On November 3, villagers in Bhoomas in Gujarat state gathered for a cultural event to celebrate the Hindu New Year. Since the event was public, twelve low-caste Dalit Christians decided to attend. However, when Hindu villagers from a higher caste saw them there, they became furious. Approximately 150 Hindu villagers attacked the Christians. Five were injured and two, Babubhai Jethabhai and Kashiben Ramanbhai, were admitted to hospital. Police are investigating the attack, although no one has been taken into custody at last report.
Christians meeting for prayer in a home in Pratapgarh in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh were attacked by Hindu militants on Sunday, November 6. The mob accused the owner of the house, Pastor Tarun Khosle and his wife, Asha Khosle, of converting Hindus to Christianity. The attackers prevented the two hundred believers from leaving the house for several hours. They also threatened to kill the family members if any "Hindus" were seen at future prayer meetings. The militants then interviewed each person in attendance to ensure that no conversions were taking place. The Christians were warned to not return to the weekly prayer meeting.