For months following Pastor Hamid Pourmand's arrest by Iranian authorities on September 9, there had been little word on his location or condition. On February 4, Compass Direct reported that Pourmand had finally appeared in court during the last week of January. His family was also reportedly able to visit him in a military prison on February 3.
Pourmand, a military officer and Assembly of God pastor, faces charges of deception. Since Christians are not allowed to serve in the Iranian military, he is accused of misleading his superiors as to his religious beliefs. Pourmand claims to have documentation proving that he was forthcoming with his Christian faith. He was also informed that he would be transferred back to his home town of Bandar-i Bushehr, where he would face charges of apostasy and proselytizing. Both are capital offenses in Iran.
Pray for Pastor Pourmand, his wife and two children during this very challenging time. Pray for peace and protection for the family, as well as a successful outcome in the trial.
For more information on persecution of Christians in Iran, click here.
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