Iranian Christian Awaits Trial in Iran after being Deported
The Iranian Christian convert Fatemeh Azad's claim for asylum due to conversion to Christianity was rejected by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees and she was deported to Iran. The reason for her rejection was that she did not convince the judge of her genuine conversion. Upon arrival in Iran, she was arrested immediately and released on bail and now she is waiting for her trial which could mean a death sentence because in Iran there is a death penalty for apostasy from Islam.
Fatemeh Azad reportedly converted to Christianity against the will of her husband, and fled with her three sons to Germany in 2015. Two of the sons were granted asylum. Fatemeh’s application was denied this past May and her third son is currently under threat of deportation. German news reports that Iranian officials were waiting for Fatemeh at the Tehran airport and immediately arrested her. She has since been released on bail and is currently awaiting trial.
When Fatemeh made her asylum appeal, her lawyers argued that apostasy (conversion from Islam) is punishable by the death penalty in Iran. This penalty has not been issued in Iran for several years, in large part thanks to international pressure. However, Iran regularly imprisons converts for years. Christians are commonly charged with “acting against national security” and can face a prison sentence of up to 15 years with this charge.
Sources: International Christian Concern, Focus, Nordkurier