HRANA – Security forces arrested Christian convert Mehran Shamlooei yesterday at Mashhad Airport and transferred him to a security detention facility in the city.
A source close to Shamlooei’s family confirmed to HRANA: “He was arrested upon entering Iran at Mashhad Airport and taken to a local security facility. As he is facing a prison sentence, the on-duty judge has ordered his transfer to Tehran on Monday.”
Shamlooei was previously sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to 10 years and 8 months in prison, a fine of 250 million tomans, and an 11-year ban on social rights. The charges against him included “propaganda against Islamic law” and “membership in groups opposing the state.” The verdict was upheld in full by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals on April 23, 2025.
His trial was held on February 13, 2025, following an earlier interrogation in January at Branch 3 of the Tehran Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office.
Shamlooei was last released from Evin Prison on December 1, 2024, after posting bail. He had been arrested on November 1, 2024, by Ministry of Intelligence agents for establishing a house church in Tehran and was held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is operated by the Ministry.
Based on about 170 reports compiled by HRANA over the past decade, 11% of all victims of religious minority rights violations by Iran’s security-judicial apparatus were Christians—particularly Christian converts. In 2024 alone, Christians made up over 9% of those targeted.
