In an update to the recent prayer prayer request on five Christian converts arrested in Rasht, Behnam Akhlaghi and Babak Hosseinzadeh have been released, but Ahmad (Youhana) Sarparast, Ayoub (Farzin) Pour-Rezazadeh and Morteza Mashhoodkari remain detained.
The five converts were arrested following raids on their homes on 8 May. They had all previously been arrested and received prison sentences related to their faith and activities. In 2019 Behnam and Babak had each been sentenced to five years in prison for “acting against national security” and “promoting Zionist Christianity.” They were acquitted by the Supreme Court in November 2021 after each serving over two years in prison.
Early in the afternoon on 9 May, they were allowed release for the authorities to complete paperwork on their cases, but they were told to expect to be summoned again.
Prayer Points
Iranian Christians are thankful for the prompt release of the two converts but request ongoing prayer that:
- God will strengthen and encourage the men still detained and that they too will be released soon
- The Iranian authorities will stop the persecution of religious minorities peacefully living according to their faith and beliefs
