Iranian Christians request prayer for Christian converts in Rasht awaiting an imminent court verdict.
On 14th June Yousef Nadarkhani, Mohammadreza Omidi, Yasser Mossayebzadeh and Saheb Fadaie were summoned to the 26th Branch of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran, where Judge Ahmadzadeh assessed their case after it was transferred from Rasht earlier this year. The local court officials had been unable to reach a verdict.
During the hearing the judge informed the men that within 20 days the court would issue a verdict relating to the charge of “acting against national security” which has been made against them.
Yasser, Saheb and Mohammadreza were arrested on 13th May 2016 with their pastor, Yousef, as they were celebrating communion. There have been two hearings in their case so far. In addition to the charge of acting against national security, Yasser, Saheb and Mohammadreza have been charged with consumption of alcohol because they drank communion wine, and on 10th September they were each sentenced to 80 lashes. They have appealed against the sentence of 80 lashes and await a final verdict.
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Prayer points
Iranian Christians request prayer that:
a. the four men will be acquitted of the charge of acting against national security
b. the judge will overturn the sentence of 80 lashes
c. the Revolutionary Court and judges will stop intimidating Christian converts, and will respect the right of all in Iran to freedom of religion
d. all officials involved will love mercy, act justly, learn about Jesus and choose to follow Him
