Arrests of Christian Converts During Prayer Meeting

Morteza Mashhoudkari, Ahmad Sarparast, Ayoub Poor-Rezazade - Photo: Middle East Concern www.meconcern.org
Morteza, Ahmad and Ayoub
Photo: Middle East Concern

Three Christian converts were arrested while attending a prayer meeting in the Iranian coastal city of Rasht on September 5th. Intelligence agents raided the meeting and took Morteza Mashhoudkari, Ayoub Poor-Rezazade and Ahmad Sarparast for interrogation.

Morteza and Ahmad were transferred to Lakan Prison on September 18th, and then released on bail three days later. The charges against them have not yet been announced. Although Ayoub's family members were informed that he had also been transferred to Lakan Prison, the other two Christians state that he never arrived at the facility. At last report, Ayoub remains missing, leaving his family and friends very concerned for his well-being.

Christians imprisoned in Iran frequently face horrific conditions. Over a dozen of these believers are known to be held captive in the notorious Evin Prison, which is located in the city of Tehran. Recent video footage that leaked from Tehran's prison shows inmates being subjected to physical and psychological torture, in addition to captured scenes of prisoners wrapped in blankets to stay warm during the colder temperatures. More information on the persecution of Christians in Iran is available at our country report.

Praise God that Morteza and Ahmad have been released on bail. Ask the Lord to fill these believers with courage and hope as they face the uncertainty of future charges. Please also pray for Ayoub's protection, along with his need for encouragement and strength. May his concerned family and friends experience God's reassuring peace as they await news of his whereabouts. Continue to prayerfully uphold all those who are currently serving time in prisons across Iran simply because of their faith in Christ.

  • 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.