Photo: Middle East Concern
On June 24th of 2016, 30 intelligence police agents raided an engagement party near Tehran, Iran. Everyone who attended the celebration was detained, including three visiting Christians from Azerbaijan. Most were released from custody, except for the three Azeri believers and Naser Navard Gol-Tapeh, whom the authorities considered the leader of the Christian gathering. For more details on this raid, go to this page.
The Azeri Christians were ultimately granted a conditional release in November 2016 and returned to their homeland (read more). However, Naser was charged with "acting against national security through the formation and establishment of an illegal church organization in his home." During his trial in May 2017, he was legally convicted of this charge and sentenced to ten years in prison.
While Naser has appealed this sentence, it has been rejected, along with requests for parole throughout the appeal process. In the meantime, he continues to serve his sentence at the notorious Evin Prison. However, in an encouraging development, the Supreme Court has ruled that his appeal will be heard, although it was not known at the time of publishing this report exactly when the hearing is to take place.
Please prayerfully intercede on behalf of Naser as he continues to serve his prison sentence in what is reputed to be a very dangerous prison. Ask the Lord to provide this faithful believer with His peace, strength, protection and encouragement. Also remember the other Christians who are presently being imprisoned in Iran for their faith. Specifically pray that God's Holy Spirit will work within the hearts and minds of the judges and lawyers in advance of Naser's upcoming hearing, guiding them so that they will not be influenced by external pressures but rather by His truth.
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