Iran Detains Evangelical Pastor; Whereabouts Unknown

TEHRAN, IRAN (Worthy News)– The whereabouts of an evangelical pastor in Iran remained unknown Saturday, August 27, some 10 days after he was detained by Iranian security forces as part of a reported government crackdown on Christian converts, Worthy News established.

Abdolreza ‘Matthias’ Haghnejad, of the evangelical Church of Iran denomination, “was re-arrested August 17″ by Iranian authorities in the northern city of Rasht while making a pastoral visit, according to Iranian Christians and human rights investigators.

Pastor Haghnejad, from the nearby seaport city of Bandar-e Anzali, has not been able to contact his family and “it is believed he is being held without access to an attorney,” said advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).

This year the pastor was also detained along with ten other members of his denomination, a major network of underground house churches, on charges of “activities against the order” but he was later released, fellow Christians said.