Detained Christian's Health Deteriorating


Vahid Hakkani
Photo: Mohabat News


Vahid Hakkani, a Christian convert imprisoned for his faith in Adel-Abad prison in Shiraz, Iran, is facing critical health concerns. Vahid was initially tried in October 2012, along with several other Christians. In October 2013, an appeals court upheld their sentences of three years and eight months in prison. (For more information on the arrest of these believers, click here.)

According to sources, Vahid's health is worsening every day. In addition to bleeding internally, he has lost a considerable amount of weight. Despite these serious health concerns, the judge initially would not allow Vahid to receive complete treatment in a hospital outside the prison because his final verdict had not yet been issued.

Eventually the judge agreed to grant him a two-month leave to undergo surgery. However, to receive care in the hospital, Vahid was forced to post a hefty bail. Additionally, the court official stated that his leave period will not count towards his prison sentence, and that extra time in jail will be required to make up for the duration of his stay in hospital.

Pray that God will bless Vahid during this difficult time, as well as sustain his friends and fellow believers who are caring for him. Ask the Lord to move in the hearts of the authorities, so they may look with favour on Vahid and provide him the care he so desperately needs. Pray that throughout this difficult trial, Vahid will entrust his life completely to his Heavenly Father.

  • 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.

Iran News

  • Armenian Christian Faces Ten-Year Sentence
    Hakop Gochumyan
    Hakop Gochumyan
    Photo: Article18

    Hakop Gochumyan and his wife Elisa are citizens of Armenia who went to Iran for vacation in August 2023. While the Christian couple and their two children were having dinner at a friend's house, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence raided the property. The authorities took the Christian family to the home of Elisa's grandmother, where the believers had been staying, and proceeded to search the residence. During the raid, Christian books and other personal belongings were confiscated. The couple was then taken to Evin Prison where they faced interrogation and intense psychological torture.

  • Esmaeil Narimanpour Sentenced to Prison
    Esmaeil Narimanpour
    Esmaeil Narimanpour
    Photo: Article18

    On Christmas Eve of 2023, Esmaeil Narimanpour was apprehended by security forces. The Iranian follower of Jesus was charged with "acting against national security by communicating with Christian 'Zionist' organizations." As of April 30th, he was released on bail after spending more than four months in detention. For more details relating to his case, see these previously posted reports.