Christian charged with anti-government propaganda


Ramtin Soodmand
Photo from FCNN

An Iranian Christian, Ramtin Soodmand, was recently charged with promoting anti-government propaganda. Ramtin, who was arrested on August 21, was permitted short phone calls to his wife throughout September, but has recently been placed in solitary confinement.

The charge against Ramtin has sparked concern that he may be tried under a draft law currently under review by the Council of Guardians that proposes a mandatory death penalty for apostasy (click here for more information). Ramtin's father, Pastor Hussein Soodmand, was the last man in Iran to be executed for apostasy in 1990.

Pray for the Soodmand family as another of their loved ones faces trial and hardship for Christ’s sake. Pray that Ramtin will be released and the charges against him dropped.

Learn more about the persecution of Iran's Christians by visiting the Iran Country Report.

  • 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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