Christian Falsely Accused of Drug Trafficking

09 August 2006

^{Photos from}^{Compass Direct}^{, used by permission}

When Issa Motamedi Mojdehi and his wife Parvah chose the name Micah for their newborn son in January, Islamic authorities took note of the biblical name and began investigating the couple from the city of Resht in northern Iran. According to an August 8 report from Compass Direct, Issa (31) was arrested on false charges of drug trafficking on July 24. Secret police have told him that his real charges are abandoning Islam. Issa could face execution unless he recants his Christian faith.

Issa and Parvah are members of the Resht Free Evangelical Church, a small house congregation. The couple have an eight-year-old daughter, Martha, in addition to their infant son. There are rumours that Parvah may also be arrested on drug charges. They have been unable to find a lawyer who is willing to take the case.

Pray that Issa will receive full and fair representation in court. Pray that he will find a lawyer to defend him. Pray that he will be exonerated and free to return to his family. Pray that God will strengthen Parvah during this time and that she will demonstrate an unwavering commitment to Christ that will draw her children into a close walk with the Lord as they grow up (Deuteronomy 11:18-20, 2 Timothy 1:5).

For more information on the persecution facing Iranian Christians, click here. The feature article of the September edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter will share testimonies of the courageous witness of Christians in Iran. To sign up today for a free subscription, go to our Newsletter Page.

Current Ministry Fund
By funding television broadcasts, VOMC is making it possible for a vast audience of viewers to be reached throughout Iran with the "Good News" of Jesus' love via satellite.

Project Fund: Underground Church
Country Information
Designation
Persecuted

Population
87,590,873 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity
Persian, Azeri, Kurd, Lur, Baloch, Arab, Turkmen and Turkic tribes

Religion (%)
Islam (98.5), Christian (0.7), Baha'i (0.3), agnostic (0.3), other (0.2)

Leader
Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-Khamenei (1989)

Government type
Theocratic republic

Legal system
Religious legal system based on secular and Islamic law

Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Iran
As the Gospel message goes forth over the airwaves, may the growth of the church continue to multiply despite persecution. Pray that the Iranian government will be open to change, allowing full rights and protection for its non-Muslim citizens as well. In the meantime, may those who are forced to flee the country find safe refuge and help so they can live in peace and worship the Lord with freedom.