Large Increase in Christian Prison Sentences Last Year

According to a recently published report by Article18, at least 96 Christians were sentenced to prison in Iran during 2024 for a combined total of 263 years' imprisonment. This statistic indicates a sixfold increase from the previous year, in which 22 Christians were arrested for a combined total of 43.5 years.

While the report demonstrates a significant increase in the total number of Christians arrested annually, it also reveals a notable increase in the length of their prison terms. This informative report can be downloaded from Article Eighteen.

As the new year commences, the situation facing Iranian Christians has not improved. More than 40 followers of Jesus were arrested just this past December for participating in Christmas celebrations. Since the detained Christians have not yet received their prison sentences, this latest number of arrested believers was not included when calculating the statistics for 2024.

The recently occurring arrests took place while the members of Iran's judiciary were boasting that Christian prisoners had been given a five-day leave from prison over the Christmas season. However, this brief furlough was not permitted for those whose convictions related to "acting against national security" – a charge commonly imposed on the country's Christians. For more reports on the persecution of believers in Iran, go to our country profile.

• Prayerfully remember the recently arrested believers, along with the many other Iranian Christians who are currently serving prison sentences because of their faith in Christ.
• Pray that international leaders would call attention to the persecution of Christian converts in Iran and thus put pressure on the country's governing officials to enact positive changes.
• In the midst of the government's attempts to suppress the Christian faith, praise God for the resilient advancements made by His church in Iran. May this continued growth in numbers also reflect the greater spiritual depth that's taking place within the lives of all those who have chosen to faithfully follow in the ways of Christ.