Christian Woman Threatened with Second Conviction
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Christian Woman Threatened with Second Conviction

Several people are milling about the entry to Evin Prison.
Evin Prison, where Laleh is being held.
Photo: Flickr / sbzphoto (cc)
 

After living abroad for a period of time, Laleh Saati returned to her home country of Iran in 2017 to care for her elderly parents. However, in February 2024, Laleh was arrested because she had converted to Christianity while living in Malaysia. This Iranian follower of Jesus was sentenced to two years in prison for "acting against national security by connecting with 'Zionist' Christian organizations." For more details on her case, see this report.

It has recently come to light that Laleh has been experiencing increased interrogation in prison. Her mother was also interrogated and warned that Laleh may face a second conviction because the case has been publicized to foreign media. While serving time in the notorious Evin Prison, the young Christian woman was also denied psychological treatment which she required due to the duress of her imprisonment.

Remember Laleh in your prayers as she withstands harsh treatment in prison because of her faith, praying that this sister in Christ will be divinely protected, strengthened and comforted – knowing that God assuredly promises to never leave nor forsake His children (Deuteronomy 31:6). Pray that this believer will also receive the psychological care she needs, and that threats of further charges against her would not come to fruition. Additionally, please pray for the protection and courage of Laleh's mother, who has likewise suffered mistreatment because of her daughter's conversion to Christ, asking that this dear elderly woman would be kept safe from harm and harassment as well.

  • 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.