Iranian Christians request prayer for Sasan Khosravi and Habib Heydari who have been told to report to Bushehr Central Prison on 11 November to complete one-year prison sentences.
Habib, Sasan, Sasan’s wife Marjan, Sasan’s brother Sam and his wife Maryam, Pooriya and his wife Fatemeh, and Sam and Sasan’s elderly mother Khatoon, were arrested in Bushehr in south Iran on 1 July 2019.
In June 2020, all except Khatoon, were convicted of “propaganda against the state through promoting Christianity” under Article 500 of the penal code. They received a variety of sentences, including fines and work bans. Sam, Sasan and Habib were each sentenced to one year in prison, which they appealed. The appeal court upheld the sentences on 27 January.
Habib and Sasan started serving their prison sentences at Bushehr Central Prison on 8 February 2021. In March they were allowed home on a temporary furlough, which was extended until last week when Bushehr Revolutionary Court ordered them to return to prison on 11 November. Sasan also faces a two-year exile from Bushehr following his release from prison.
Sasan and Habib are very thankful to God that they have been able to extend their furlough for so long and thank the church for supporting them in prayer.
Prayer Points
Further prayer is requested that:
- God will comfort and encourage Sasan and Habib as they return to prison
- God will watch over their families and keep them in His love and peace.
- The Iranian authorities will respect the various religious communities, upholding their religious freedom and refraining from oppressing them
