2024 Stakeholder report for the United Nation’s Universal Periodic Review (4th Cycle): Türkiye
Click here for the full report.
Iran: Three converts detained
Friends of detained Christian converts Jahangir Alikhani, Hamed Malamiri and Gholam Eshagh, recently re-arrested by agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), request prayer. The three were among 20 Christians initially arrested in Nowshahr and Chalus in...
Iran: Iranian-Armenian pastor acquitted and released from prison
On 24 September, Branch 21 of the Appeal Court of Tehran acquitted pastor Anooshavan Avedian (62) of the charge of “propaganda contrary to and disturbing to the holy religion of Islam,” and ordered his release from prison. He was serving a 10-year prison sentence...
Türkiye: Bursa church ordered to evacuate
In July 2024, the Regional Directorate of Foundations ordered the evacuation of the "French Church" in Bursa before 24 August, claiming that the historical building is structurally unsafe as the groundwater level is very high and a reinforcement project must be...
2024 Stakeholder report for the United Nation’s Universal Periodic Review (48th Session): Islamic Republic of Iran
Click here for the full report.
Algeria: Pastor’s sentence upheld
Pastor Youssef Ourahmane, vice-president of the EPA, requests continued prayer after a 2 May appeal verdict, which confirmed a previous sentence of one year applied imprisonment as well as a 100.000 DZD (approximately US$ 735) fine on charges of holding an...
Iran: Christian convert accused of propaganda against the regime
Friends of Shabeddin (Shahab) Shahi request prayer for a second hearing at 6th Branch of the Revolutionary Court of Karaj to face charges of propaganda against the Islamic regime. Shahab was notified on 11 March that he faced charges and had five days to appear at...
Iran: Prayer for Iranian-Armenian pastor in prison
Iranian-Armenian pastor Anooshavan Avedian (61) is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence in Evin Prison, Tehran. He was arrested along with two Christian converts when around 30 intelligence agents raided a private Christian gathering in Narmak, North Tehran on...
Algeria: Appeal hearing soon
Pastor Youssef Ourahmane, vice-president of the EPA, and the church in Algeria request prayer for his scheduled 26 March 2024 appeal of his prison sentence and fine. On 27 November, 2023, Pastor Youssef was sentenced to one year in prison and fined for 100.000 DZD...
Annual Report: Rights Violations Against Christians in Iran: 2024
Middle East Concern, in collaboration with Open Doors International, Article 18 and CSW has released the 2024 annual report on violations of the rights of Christians in Iran. In 2023, Iranians’ fundamental freedoms continued to be curtailed by state authorities. This...
Türkiye: Worshipper shot dead by extremists
Church leaders request prayer after the killing of Tuncer Cihan by two extremists at Santa Maria Catholic Church in Büyükdere, Istanbul. On Sunday 28 January at around 11:40 a.m., two masked gunmen entered Santa Maria church during mass At first firing shots into the...
Iran: Update on Christian convert brothers
Friends and family of Alireza and Amir Nourmohammadi are grateful that they were released conditionally following their arrest in December, but request prayer as they face prosecution for their Christian activities. The brothers were arrested, along with Milad...