Facing exile and persecution, an Iranian dissident crossed from devout Muslim to student of Judaism

Behnam Vali Heydarian, an Iranian dissident, has undergone a profound spiritual and geographical journey, transitioning from a devout Muslim in Kuwait and Iran to a Christian pastor in Georgia, and now exploring Judaism as an unrecognized refugee in Switzerland. His activism against the Iranian regime has led to multiple assassination attempts and persecution, even after fleeing Iran. Heydarian recounted his father's abduction by Iranian security forces and his own near-death experience at 29, which spurred his spiritual quest. After converting to Christianity and distributing New Testaments in Iran, he fled to Georgia following the murder of a friend and the arrest of another.

• In Georgia, Heydarian faced continued harassment and attacks, which he attributes to Iranian transnational repression, despite authorities often dismissing them as non-political.
• His pro-Israel stance has further alienated him from the humanitarian community he once supported.
• Currently in Switzerland, Heydarian fears deportation to Georgia and ultimately back to Iran, where he faces severe consequences for his dissent.