Daniel, the young man who was arrested by the order of the local judicial court, on the charges of "illegal internet activities" and leading home based churches, was freed temporarily.

According to reports by Farsi Christian News Network, Daniel Shahri, who lives in the city of Isfahan, was arrested on April 11, 2010 and was released, after posting appropriate bail, on April 24, 2010 from the Dastgerd Prison of Isfahan.

This young man, in his first telephone contact from inside the detention center, had indicated that he was arrested on the charges of publishing falsities and insult to Islamic faith.

Sources inside the prison report that Daniel was kept in the A-T section of the prison and upon attending the designated court hearing the charges of publishing of falsities and insult to Islam was dropped, but other charges such as propagation of the Christian faith and assisting in the formation and the continuation of home based churches coupled with unauthorized internet activities were introduced.

Considering the nature of these charges, Daniel's file remains open and he is freed temporarily, pending the posting of appropriate bail, until a court hearing is set to set the date for his trial.

It is noteworthy to mention that Daniel is a 19 years old man from Isfahan who has been born in a Christian family. Thus, his Christian activities have been in the context of a Christian family and can not be used as a basis for prosecuting him. There is hope that the court in Isfahan will consider this matter and clear all misunderstandings and close this case once and for all.

In the recent months, several reports indicate the ever increasing number of arrests and harsh treatment of Christians in the largest city of Iran. Even after two months there are no credible news of the whereabouts and condition of a Christian couple, Hamid and Reyhaneh, along with several other Christians in Isfahan, whose identities are currently protected by FCNN due to respect and security concerns for the detainees and their families.

FCNN