The German section of the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) and the German Protestant news agency IDEA have named the Iranian Christian Naser Navard-Goltapeh as ‘Prisoner of the Month for June’.

The convert, who converted from Islam to Christianity many years ago, was imprisoned again on 6 February 2025 and has been held in the notorious Evin prison in Tehran ever since. He went on hunger strike this spring to protest against the persecution of Christians by the mullah dictatorship. After 35 days, however, he suffered a stroke on 17 March. He was then hospitalized, but was returned to prison after just two days. He was first arrested on 24 June 2016 at an engagement party in Tehran and sentenced to ten years in prison in May 2017 for allegedly ‘endangering national security’.

The German section of the ISHR and IDEA presented him as ‘Prisoner of the Month’ in March 2018. He was released on 17 October 2022. The ISHR and IDEA are calling for letters to be sent to Iranian President Massud Peseshkian requesting the immediate release of the Christian. The Islamic Republic of Iran has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which also guarantees religious freedom.

Michaela Koller
ISHR Religious Freedom Expert

Sample Letter

His Excellency
President Massud Peseschkian
c/o Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran
[add address of the Iranian Embassy]

Dear Mr. President,

The Iranian citizen Naser Navard-Goltapeh has exercised his right to freely choose his religion. The Christian was arrested again on 6 February 2025 and taken to Evin Prison in Tehran, where he suffered a stroke on 17 March 2025 after 35 days on hunger strike. He was then hospitalized, but was returned to prison after just two days.

Naser Navard-Goltapeh was first arrested on 24 June 2016 at an engagement party in Tehran, sentenced to ten years in prison in May 2017 for allegedly ‘endangering national security’ and released from prison in October 2022.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which is binding under international law. Article 18 of this document guarantees every person the right to change their faith and also to promote it.

I therefore appeal to you to campaign for the immediate and unconditional release of the prisoner of conscience.

Yours sincerely