On 13th February MEC requested prayer for Amin Nader Afshar and Hadi Askary, Christian converts in Evin Prison (pictured) in Tehran. We are glad to report that, after a meeting with the Head of the Iran Attorney General’s office, they have ended their hunger strike to demand medical care and progress in the judicial process.
On Friday 26th August 2016 Amin and Hadi were arrested at a picnic in Firuzkuh along with Ramiel Bet Tamraz, Mohammad Dehnavy and Amir Sina Dashti. They were detained in Ward 4 of Evin Prison. No charges have been brought against the men despite weeks of interrogation.
In October and November Ramiel, Mohammad and Amir were able to get conditional release by submitting substantial bail payments. Hadi and Amin have been detained for six months without charges, and have been unable to raise the amount of bail demanded for their release. They want a hearing as soon as possible.
Hadi and Amin started a hunger strike to demand adequate medical care and an end to the delays in their case. Hadi has been suffering from a kidney infection and has not received any medical attention. On 12th February Amin became very ill as his blood pressure dropped. He was also refused medical attention.
On 14th February Ali Akbar Bakhtiari, Head of the Attorney General’s office, and his deputy visited Evin Prison. During their visit they promised to investigate the situation of political prisoners, including Hadi and Amin and others imprisoned on account of their religious beliefs.
Hadi and Amin were recently summoned to defend their case and as a result it was agreed that the amount of bail requested for their release would be reduced from 2 billion to 1.7 billion Rials (about US$52,000). A promise was given that their cases would be attended to, and so they have ended their hunger strike and await further developments.
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Prayer points
Iranian Christians are thankful that Hadi and Amin have ended their hunger strike and that Mr. Bakhtiari showed a personal interest in them, but they request prayer that:
a. Hadi will receive treatment for his kidney infection and will be restored to health
b. the case against the people arrested at the Firuzkuh picnic will be heard, that Hadi and Amin will be released, and that the others will receive back their bail monies
c. all officials involved will love mercy, act justly, learn about Jesus and choose to follow Him
