E/CN.4/1992/52 page 34 release he allegedly returned to his home town, Mashad, where he is said to have been re-arrested and interrogated, and was imprisoned for an additional 28 days. It has been alleged that during this incarceration, Rev. Soodmand was physically tortured. It has further been reported that when Rev. Soodmand returned to Gorgan, he was arrested once again and ordered to return to Mashad. In Mashad, he was arrested for the fourth time and imprisoned on charges of apostasy from Islam, propagating Christianity, disseminating Christian literature and establishing an illegal church. It has been reported that Rev. Soodmand was subjected to both psychological and physical torture and ill-treatment while in custody for refusing to recant his faith. According to the sources, Rev. Hossein Soodmand was hanged in Mashad on 3 December 1990. It is not known whether he was tried or, if this were the case, whether the trial conformed to internationally accepted standards of a fair trial. Rev. Soodmand's family was reportedly not accorded visitation rights and was not informed of his situation until after the execution had taken place. It has also been alleged that his body was not released for burial, although a number of pastors in Mashad were reportedly shown a coroner's report indicating that Rev. Soodmand was dead. He is said not to have been buried in a cemetery but a location described as unsuitable for a respectful burial. According to additional information received, Mehdi Debadj, an Iranian citizen of Christian faith who had converted from Islam approximately 25 years ago, has been imprisoned since 1983 because of his religious beliefs. Mr. Debadj, who is a Bible teacher and translator, was reportedly arrested in 1983 and detained in Babol, had been released temporarily when the church paid $US 20,000 as security. He is said to have been re-arrested shortly thereafter and subjected to torture in order that he may renounce his faith. It has been alleged that since his re-arrest and incarceration Mr. Debadj has been transferred from prison to prison throughout the country. It has also been alleged that his children, who have to rely on other persons for support, were last allowed to visit him months ago and that his whereabouts have been unknown since that time. It is also not known whether Mr. Debadj is still alive. I also received several reports alleging that the Government has required all Christian churches to re-register after the Parliament had approved the recognition of churches through re-registration six years ago. It has been alleged that the Assemblies of God churches have submitted all the documents necessary for re-registration more than three years ago but have still not been able to register. The Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance reportedly closed in July 1989 the Christian training centre Garden of Evangelism in Tehran which had been used for pastoral training for over 45 years. It is also reported that the same Ministry closed the Christian church in Sari, northern Iran, in 1988 and that its pastor had been forced to leave the city. In addition, it has been alleged that several Christian churches and bookstores have been closed, that Christian conferences have been prohibited and that the Government has to authorize the performing of Christian weddings and church outings. Authorities are said to have urged Iranian citizens of Christian faith 'not to contact the West'.