Farsi Christian News Network is reporting that two Christians from Isfahar, Iran, involved in internet evangelism and blogging were taken into custody last month.  A man masquerading as a Christian pastor deceived them into thinking they were going to a secret house church meeting.

[A] 30 years old Christian man by the name of Mazaher R., who had been active in web-blogging and Christian evangelism via internet, was befriended by a person who was a local resident of Isfahan and introduced himself as Pastor Reza.

This man, Pastor Reza, invited the Christian web blogger to meet him at a location in order to fellowship and be better acquainted with each other.

Our brother Mazaher, along with his sister, and another web blogger named Hamed S. met this man called Reza on February 22, 2009 at a pre-designated location.

These 3 believers met Reza and another lady called Maria, who was introduced as Reza’s wife, met at the prearranged location. After some introductory conversation, Pastor Reza invited the 3 Christians to accompany him and his wife to a secret home church meeting, located on Ordibehesht Street near the Felezi Bridge in Isfahan, where he was to baptize a new convert in water.

When they arrived at the alleged house church, plain-clothes security police arrested the three Christians.  A week later, Mazaher’s sister was released after authorities determined she was not involved in blogging.

There is no news as to the whereabouts or physical condition of Mazaher and Hamed.

h/t: International Christian Concern

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• 4 April 2009 -- Two imprisoned Iranian Christians in poor health
• 31 March 2009 -- Iran arrests two Christian women

Tags: Blogging, Iran, Persecution
Filed under: Asia-Pacific, Christianity, Religious Liberty/Persecution
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