Reports from Christian News Network reports that an appeal court in Iran has thrown out the appeal of three pastors accused of committing crimes against national security.
The pastors Abdolreza Ali-Haghnejad, Reza Rabbani and Benham Irani were sentenced to six years in prison each for "creating a network to overthrow the system."
Reports say two of the church leaders have been released but the third pastor Irani, still has two years remaining on an earlier sentence.
Irani leads a 300-member church in Karaj and was detained in 2006 for holding a Bible study.
He was convicted of action against the state and sentenced to five years in prison. An additional charge added more time to his sentence.
International Christian Concern (ICC) rejoiced after learning that the men had been vindicated.
Speaking to newsmen the ICC Regional Manager, Todd Daniels said: "It is encouraging to see the Iranian judicial system rule on the merits of the case, rather than simply exploiting the system as a means of persecuting religious minorities, as is regularly the case."
"It is a fundamental aspect of religious freedom to be able to meet together with others who share your beliefs. For too long, the Iranian regime has treated such meetings as a threat to national security," he added.
"We continue to call for the full release of Pastor Benham Irani, Saeed Abedini, and the dozens more who are imprisoned unjustly," he said.
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