Armed forces invaded the homes of four Christians in Karaj, Iran including the home of imprisoned Church of Iran Pastor, Behnam Irani.

According to a press release from Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), the homes of Silas Rabbani, Amin Khaki, and an unnamed Christian were invaded by members of the security forces on December 15. 

They took possession of Bibles, inspite of the fact that none of these residences were used as house churches.The three men were consequently told they would be getting an injunction for a court hearing. 

The fourth home incursion involved the home of Kristina Irani, the wife of Pastor Behnam Irani, who is confined in Ghezal Hesar Prison.

During the search, her laptop computer and some Christian resources were taken away. Mrs. Irani was yelled at by Iranian security forces, terrifying her two little kids. It is not yet clear whether Kristina Irani will also be summoned to court.

According to CSW, it had learned that on Dec. 11, Pastor Irani was told he could no longer walk around the yard of Ghezal Hesar Prison, nor exchange a few words with other prisoners. These orders were reportedly issued by an official known as "Farhadi." He is the individual responsible for religious minorities in Alborz Province.

Behnam Irani, the Church of Iran Pastor had parishioners that attended his church services in Karaj. 

However, he was first detained in December 2011. Irani was condemned to six years imprisonment on charges of "action against the state," and "action against the order." 

The judgment against him includes description labeling the pastor as an apostate and reiterating that apostates "can be killed."

"These raids amount to nothing less than the harassment of innocent citizens. They have suffered arbitrary interference with their privacy and homes ... The Rouhani presidency initially gave rise to cautious optimism for an improvement in human rights in the near future. However, as Christmas approaches, the authorities are showing no signs changing what has become an annual and insensitive ritual of arresting Christians at this time of year," said CSW's Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas in the press release.

Thomas concluded, "We urge the Iranian authorities not to initiate charges against these people and to ensure that they are able to fully enjoy the rights and freedoms to which they are entitled under national and international law, including the right to freedom of religion or belief."