Appeal Hearing Scheduled

 Pastor Victor bet Tamraz and his wife, Shamiram Isavi Khabizeh - Photo: Farsi Christian News Network
Pastor Victor bet Tamraz and his
wife, Shamiram Isavi Khabizeh
Photo: Farsi Christian News Network

An appeal hearing has been scheduled for September 3rd to review the convictions of Christians sentenced because of their faith. Initial reports indicated a combined hearing for three related long-standing cases, each involving a member of the same family.

The first case involves Pastor Victor bet Tamraz, along with two Christian converts, Amin Nader Afshari and Kevian Fallah Mohammadi. The three were arrested during a Christmas celebration in 2014 and each received sentences of ten years (read more).

Pastor Victor's wife, Shamiram Isavi Khabizeh, was sentenced in January 2018 to five years in prison for allegedly "acting against national security and against the regime by organizing small groups, attending a seminary abroad, and training church leaders and pastors to act as spies." Their son, Ramiel, was arrested along with four converts during a picnic in August 2016 (see this report). Although Ramiel only received a four-month sentence, it left him with a criminal record, leading to this appeal.

While it appeared the appeal hearing would be for all those involved, only Kevian and Shamiram received a summons to appear as of August 29th. The family is disappointed that the other appeals have been delayed but believe it is intended to pressure the family to leave Iran.

Pray that the upcoming appeals will be successful and that all charges against the accused Christians will be dropped, in hopes the appeals of the others will be heard soon. As these faithful believers seek to serve Christ, whether in prison or elsewhere, may they receive ongoing encouragement, peace, patience and strength. In addition, please remember the many other Christians throughout Iran who are continuing to share the Gospel message despite the opposition they encounter on a regular basis.

  • 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.