Iranian Christians request prayer for Pastor Victor Bet Tamraz, his wife Shamiram Isavi Khabizeh, Amin Afshar Naderi and Hadi Asgari as they prepare to appeal recent prison sentences.
On 6 January, Shamiram was sentenced to five years imprisonment by Judge Ahmadzade of Tehran Revolutionary Court for acting against national security and acting against the regime by organising small groups, attending a seminary abroad and training church leaders and pastors to act as spies. Shamiram is appealing the decision.
Shamiram’s husband, Pastor Victor, is also appealing his sentence of ten years imprisonment for acting against national security. He was sentenced on 4 July 2017.
Amin Afshar Naderi was sentenced to fifteen years’ imprisonment and Hadi Asgari to ten years’ imprisonment for acting against national security. Amin was released on bail on 25 July 2017, but Hadi was refused bail by the Court of Appeal and remains detained in Evin prison, Tehran. They have both been under intense pressure to convert back to Islam, but remain firm in their faith. An appeal hearing scheduled for December 2017 was postponed. It is expected that this hearing will be rescheduled soon.
Prayer points
Iranian Christians request prayer that,
- the verdicts against all four Christians will be successfully appealed
- the four Christians will be encouraged and strengthened in the Lord and know His peace during this critical time
- the Lord will restore Hadi’s health as he has been suffering from a bad back
- Hadi will be comforted in his loneliness in prison
- the Iranian authorities will act justly and uphold the rights and dignity of all
