Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani
c/o Public Relations Office
Number 4, 2 Azizi Street
Vali Asr Ave, above Pasteur Street intersection
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran
Your Excellency,
I want to express my deep concern regarding the case of Mohammad-Hadi (Mostafa) Bordbar, a
Christian convert currently imprisoned in Evin prison, Teheran.
Mr. Bordbar was arrested on 27 December 2012, along with around 50 other Christian converts who
had gathered to celebrate Christmas in a house in northern Tehran. He has been in detention since
his arrest. On 31 July his lawyer was informed that Mr. Bordbar had been convicted and sentenced to
ten years imprisonment for being part of an “anti-security organization” and “gathering with intent
to commit crimes against Iranian national security”. The ruling was issued in branch 26 of the
Revolutionary Court of Tehran by Judge Pir-Abbasi. According to reliable information, the charges
included activities that, according to international law, are considered perfectly legal, i.e. conversion
to another religion, baptism, religious gatherings and distribution of religious materials. Trustworthy
sources say that he will appeal his sentence.
Reliable sources claim that Mr. Bordbar is a peace-loving and law-abiding Iranian citizen, who is loyal
to his country. It appears as though the only reason for his arrest and conviction is his conversion to
Christianity and his rightful practice of his faith.
Iran is, by their ratification of The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), bound
to respect the freedom of religion or belief of everyone, which, among other things, protects the
right to change one’s religion, to gather with other co-believers and to openly practice and share
one’s faith.
I, therefore, respectfully petition your intervention in this case to ensure:
- that the charges against Mr. Bordbar are dropped
- that he is immediately and unconditionally released and, barring that:
- that his appeal is expedited in a fair and just manner, according to international standards
- that Mr. Bordbar’s human rights are respected and he is treated properly
Thank you for taking time to read and act upon this letter.
Yours sincerely,