Published on: 15 July 2017
By Britta Milovansev – DOHI News
On July 3, 2017, Amin Afshar Naderi was sentenced to 15 years in Evin Prison, Iran.
After receiving a 15yr sentence, in a state of despair and in objection to the courts ruling, Amin Afshar Naderi wrote a heart wrenching letter to the officials of the judiciary in which he explains why he is ending his life.
“What have I done against you and our country that made you hate me this much? I have learned from the bible to love my enemies and to pray for those who hate me. But what have you actually learned?
It has been a year now that I have tolerated all the insults…you hated me more and more every day. I surrender to your cruel decision and I have decided to terminate my life slowly…. I hope you feel a little better by seeing my slow death and suffering.”
Read Naderi’s full letter below
Naderi and five other Christians were arrested on August 26, 2016 while on a weekend trip to a private cottage with their families in Firuzkuh, in the Alborz Mountains, Iran.
He had been held for six months in solitary confinement in uncertainty without being convicted of any charges and went on a hunger strike on February 5, 2016 to protest the unfair treatment of his case.
After reaching a critical condition due to heavy weight loss, the Iranian authorities promised him due judicial process. He ended his hunger strike. He was transferred, after eight months to Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court.
At his trial on June 21, 2017 he was accused of “violating the national security by hosting house churches and promoting Christianity.”
He was sentenced on July 3, 2017 to 15 years – 10-yrs with an additional five years for blasphemy. Upon completion of his prison term he is also barred from leaving the country for two years.
Naderi’s full letter of despair to the Iranian authorities
“Why I decided to go on a hunger strike”
“I have learned from the bible to love my enemies and to pray for those who hate me; but what have you actually learned?
What have I done against you and our country that made you hate me this much? I have learned from the bible to love my enemies and to pray for those who hate me. But what have you actually learned?
I have learned not to speak in abusive language; what have YOU learned? You were using rude language during the interrogation, you made fun of my beliefs and attacked my monotheistic religion; I have never insulted you, not because I did not have the power to do so, but deep inside I have always prayed for your health.
You have written a report filled with lies, stating that I have insulted your religious beliefs! You even forced my prison inmates to accept and sign the confession! I just watched you and prayed for you.”
It has been a year now that I have tolerated all the insults from my inmates, the prison guards and you all, while I have not done anything wrong and have been deprived of basic needs.
However, I have always prayed for you to be fair and just. Not only did you not stick to any of your promises you gave in the court, in front of the pastor, my family, and all the people who were present, you hated me more and more every day and finally *you hid me from the ambassadors of those selected countries you had in mind!
I have no words. Do whatever you want, like what you have done until now, but not according to justice, morality and law. There is one question in my mind, if we are actually what you say we are and we have insulted your religious beliefs and if your judicial process from the time of arrest to interrogation and court sessions were all lawful, then why are you hiding us from people? This is alright. I surrender to your cruel decision and I have decided to terminate my life slowly and that is why I am on hunger strike. I promise you not to cost any financial loss to you. I even deny to receive any medicine. I hope you feel little better by seeing my slow death and suffering.”
*On July 5, 2017, 50 ambassadors from around the world traveled to Iran to inspect the judicial operations and visited Evin Prison. While the ambassadors were escorted by the prison guards, other guards and officials hid Naderi and many other prisoners to avoid contact and any conversations between the prisoners and the foreign ambassadors.
(news source: Mohabat News)
