Christian Couple Detained

Sara Ahmadi and Homayoun Zhaveh
Sara Ahmadi and Homayoun Zhaveh
Photo: Article18

Homayoun Zhaveh and his wife Sara Ahmadi have faced legal difficulties since June 2019 because of their faith. In November 2020, Sara was sentenced to 11 years in prison for her alleged role in leading a house church. Homayoun was sentenced to two years for his membership with the church. Upon appeal, Sara's sentence was reduced to eight years. After their case was rejected by the Supreme Court of Iran, they expected to start serving their sentences in June 2021. However, when they presented themselves to Evin Prison, they were told to return home. (More details are available here.)

For more than a year, the couple has been living in uncertainty. This has been further compounded by the fact that Homayoun suffers from advanced Parkinson's disease and Sara is his primary caregiver. On August 13th, Sara and Homayoun were summoned to the administrative office of Evin Prison. They went expecting that their previously confiscated personal property would be returned to them. Upon arrival, however, they were both taken into custody without forewarning.

At last report, the only contact made by these imprisoned Christians was when Homayoun called relatives, asking them to collect their car which was left outside the prison. The advocacy director for Article18, Mansour Borji, expressed his dismay and concern over their imprisonment. "We can only speculate on why this has happened," he announced. "But it is nevertheless extremely concerning that an elderly man with an extremely serious health condition has been detained.... There is every chance, unfortunately, that the stress of their detention will make Homayoun's condition worse."

Please prayerfully uplift this dear couple before God's throne of grace, asking Him to strengthen them in every area of their lives – spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically – especially during their time of need. In fact, may Homayoun experience a special touch from the Master Physician, who has the power to heal him of Parkinson's disease – whether it be instantaneously or gradually; divinely or through gifted medical professionals. Continue to intercede for the governmental and judicial leaders of Iran, that they will extend mercy and justice towards this elderly couple, and many other citizens who are being persecuted for their faith throughout the country.

  • 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.