Iran’s alcohol law specifically exempts Christians and allows them to have wine for communion.
The 11 Christians are awaiting a verdict and have not been convicted, but it was not explained how the trial could even proceed when what they were charged with was not an offense.
The 11 on trial were reported to be members of the Church of Iran, an evangelical sect, and not of any mainstream church. Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians in Iran have not reported any problems over communion wine.
The charges may stem more from the fact that Iran is leaning hard on evangelical Christian groups, which try to find converts among Muslims. Most of the Christian churches in Iran are ethnically-based and are not seeking converts, so they do not tangle with the authorities.
According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, the 11 Christians were brought before the Revolutionary Court in Bandar Enzeli on the Caspian on May 1 with little advance notice. Their lawyer reminded the court of the rights granted to Christians to have wine for communion.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide says at least 254 Iranian Christians were arrested between last June and February in 33 cities across Iran.
