The appeal of Pastor Victor Bet Tamraz (sentenced to ten years in prison) and his wife Shamiram Issavi Khabizeh (sentenced to five years in prison) has been denied.
After many postponements, Pastor Victor was informed on 19 July that their appeal has been rejected.
However, both Pastor Victor and Shamiram are grateful they were able to move to a country where they feel safe.
Three long standing cases were combined in a ruling by presiding judge Ahmed Zargar in February 2019, with the latest appeal scheduled for 1 June. However, since the decision to combine the cases, every scheduled hearing has been postponed.
The first case involves Pastor Victor of the Assyrian Assemblies of God, and two Persian Christian converts, Amin Nader Afshari and Kavian Fallah Mohammadi, who were all arrested at a December 2014 Christmas celebration. The second case also involves Amin Nader Afshari, re-arrested in August 2016 at a picnic with another convert, Hadi Asgari. The third involves Shamiram, Pastor Victor’s wife, summoned by authorities in June 2017. Between them they are facing 55 years in prison on national security charges.
Iranian Christians request prayer:
* Thanking God that all those sentenced in this case are in places where they are not under a direct threat to be called to serve their prison sentences
* That the Lord will encourage and give wisdom to Pastor Victor, Shamiram, Amin, Kavian and Hadi as they explore their future
