Two Christians Released from Evin Prison

Naser sitting in a home.
Naser Navard Gol-Tapeh
Photo: Article18

When news broke out that Evin Prison in Tehran had experienced a fire on October 15th, families of the prisoners were rightly concerned about the safety of those who were inside during the incident. Sounds of gunfire had been heard in the prison, along with explosions. While the reason for the fire remains unclear, it has been reported that all Christian prisoners of conscience were unharmed. For two particular Christian inmates, the days that followed brought an unexpected blessing when they were pardoned and released from prison.

In 2017, Naser Navard Gol-Tapeh was sentenced to ten years in prison because he had been hosting house church meetings in his home. Earlier this year, concerns were raised about the Christian man's health (read more). It is with great joy we report that he was released on October 17th as part of a mass pardoning by Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. Naser was able to surprise his family members with a phone call, asking them to come and get him.

Fariba
Fariba Dalir
Photo: Article18

The next day, Christian convert Fariba Dalir was also released, having been sentenced in November 2021 to five years in prison, which was later reduced to two years. (Further details on her case are available here.) Fariba's husband Soroush, along with their daughter Arezoo, are said to be "overjoyed" at the reunion.

Reacting to the news of these recent pardons, Article18's director, Mansour Borji, stated, "While we celebrate the recent release of [the two believers], we remain deeply concerned for the health and security of all those who remain in Evin Prison, including at least ten Christian prisoners of conscience."

Praise God for the release of these two Christian prisoners! Pray for patience and strength as they now re-enter life outside the prison institution, joyfully reunited with their families. Continue to prayerfully remember the many believers in Iran still awaiting release from imprisonment, whether at Evin Prison or elsewhere, asking that each one would be filled with a renewed sense of comfort, hope and strength so they can continue standing firm in their faith.

  • 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.