Christian in solitary confinement

15 July 2010

Photo from FCNN

An Iranian Christian, Ali Golchin (29), has been held in solitary confinement in Tehran's Evin prison since he was arrested in his home town of Varamin on April 29. After weeks of appealing to the authorities, Ali's father was finally allowed access to him on June 17 -- though they were allowed only 10 minutes together. Ali's father shared that he was distressed to find his son "crying uncontrollably" and in obvious pain. Ali, who is a chemical analyst, has been sent to the prison health centre twice due to "weakness and severe stomach aches." Sources believe Ali has been ill-treated during interrogation sessions.

The Iranian authorities have still not charged Ali with any offence, nor has a defence lawyer been appointed to his case. Ali's wife has been warned not to attend church and told that she will only be able to negotiate with the authorities about Ali's release if she converts to Islam. (Source: Farsi Christian News Network)

Please pray for Ali's release! Pray the Lord will sustain him and his family. Pray the Lord will use Ali's testimony to strengthen the faith of other believers and bring about change in the political and judicial system in Iran.

You can learn more about the plight of Iranian 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.