Iranian Couple Flees After Appeal is Denied

Pastor Victor Bet Tamraz and his wife, Shamiram Isavi Khabizeh - Photo: Farsi Christian News Network www.fcnn.com
Pastor Victor Bet-Tamraz and his wife,
Shamiram Isavi Khabizeh
Photo: FCNN

In July 2017, Pastor Victor Bet-Tamraz was sentenced to ten years in prison. Arrested in 2014 during a Christmas celebration, he was convicted of evangelism, illegal house-church activities and "acting against national security" (read more). In June 2017, his wife Shamiram was also arrested and received a sentence of five years.

Since their conviction, they have faced multiple appeal hearings, only to be notified of their cancellation for various reasons. The couple's latest hearing, scheduled for July 1st, was likewise cancelled. Then on July 19th, Pastor Victor was informed by his lawyer that their final appeal had been rejected. Both Pastor Victor and Shamiram received notification on August 11th that they had five days to turn themselves in to Iran's notorious Evin Prison.

Reports have recently surfaced that the couple fled the country on August 15th, the day before the deadline. Their daughter Dabrina lives in Switzerland and will not disclose their location for safety reasons. However, she assures people that they are "safe and well." The couple regrets having to leave their homeland but, considering the harsh conditions at the Evin Prison, felt it was necessary at their age. They intend to resume their attempts to clear their names from abroad with hopes of returning to Iran if the charges are dropped.

"We continue to pray and hope for their sentences to be dropped," states Dabrina. "We pray for justice -- both for my parents and for all believers suffering in prisons." To learn more about the persecution of Christians in Iran, go to country report.

Praise God that Pastor Victor and Shamiram have found a place of refuge until their case is justly resolved. Pray that efforts to clear their names will be successful. Continue to prayerfully uphold the many Christians presently suffering in Iranian prisons, along with numerous others who are facing oppression and an uncertain future because of their faith in Christ.

Video 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.

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.