Convert Released from Prison

Photos from Compass Direct, used by permission

One month after ordering his arrest, court authorities in Rasht, Iran have released Issa Motamedi Mojdehi, declaring the Christian convert from Islam to be "free for the moment." According to a September 4 report from Compass Direct, Motamedi Mojdehi was granted bail on August 24 on the basis of a written guarantee from a fellow Christian.

Motamedi Mojdehi was arrested on false drug charges on July 24 (click here for the details). While those charges remain, the judge introduced further allegations on August 24, claiming his eight-year-old daughter Martha had been trying to lead other children to the Christian faith.

Issa has reportedly taken his wife and two children and moved to an undisclosed location. "Pray for me, that I would be stronger in my faith," he told local believers. He states that the calmness and protection God gave to him during his weeks in prison were miraculous.

For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Iran, click here. The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter features the courageous testimonies of Iranian Christians. To read this article online, subscribe today to our newsletter at 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.

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Iran News

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    Javad Amini
    Photo: Article18

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    Photo: VOMC

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    Pastor Anooshavan Avedian and Mehdi "Yasser" Akbari
    Photos: Article 18

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  • Christian Woman Threatened with Second Conviction
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    Photo: Flickr / sbzphoto (cc)
     

    After living abroad for a period of time, Laleh Saati returned to her home country of Iran in 2017 to care for her elderly parents. However, in February 2024, Laleh was arrested because she had converted to Christianity while living in Malaysia. This Iranian follower of Jesus was sentenced to two years in prison for "acting against national security by connecting with 'Zionist' Christian organizations." For more details on her case, see this report.

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