Retrial Request Denied

Brother Naser
Naser Navard Gol-Tapeh
Photo: Middle East Concern

Last month, it was reported that the prison sentence for Naser Navard Gol-Tapeh was to be reviewed by the Supreme Court of Iran (read more). Naser was convicted in 2017 and sentenced to ten years in prison for allegedly "acting against national security through the formation and establishment of an illegal church organization in his home."

In a disappointing turn of events, however, the Supreme Court ruled on February 19th that the request for a retrial would be summarily dismissed. The decision was not communicated to Naser's family until March 1st. Reacting to the judgement, Naser's lawyer stated, "Unfortunately, the branches of the Supreme Court issue verdicts in an arbitrary way, without considering the rights of the accused."

Naser is being held in Evin Prison, which is notorious for prolonged interrogations and the abusive treatment of inmates. During the past five years of his imprisonment, the Christian man has written several letters. In one dated November 2019, he was able to write, "I hope that Christ's love will spread through the voice of imprisoned Christians throughout the world."

Prayerfully remember Naser and his family as they face the ramifications of this frustrating news. May they not become disheartened but rather be further encouraged to continue reaching out in a way that will draw people to an understanding of God's sacrificial love for them. Uphold the many followers of Christ who are presently serving time in Iranian prisons, asking Him to increase their strength and courage so they can hold firmly on to their faith, no matter the cost.

  • 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.