Two Iranian Christians have been released mid-sentence from the country’s notorious Evin Prison.
Naser Navard Gol-Tapeh (61) was released on 17 October after being pardoned by the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. Fariba Dalir (53) was set free the following day.
It’s unknown whether their release is linked with the recent unrest at Evin Prison, where Christians are being held along with political prisoners. According to state media, eight prisoners were recently killed in fights at the prison.
Naser was set free from Evin Prison midway through a ten-year sentence for running a house church, according to Middle East Concern.
Mike Ansari of Heart4Iran said, “We are excited to see that Naser has been set free. There has been a lot of advocating for his release behind the scenes, and we pray that other Iranian Christians who are being held will be released too. Freedom of religion is a basic human right. We pray that it will be upheld in Iran.”
Naser was arrested along with three other Christians in 2016 when 30 intelligence officers raided an engagement party near Tehran. They were held in solitary confinement for two months and subjected to intense interrogation. All were charged with “illegal gathering, collusion and evangelism”.
At his trial in May 2017, Naser was charged with “acting against national security through the formation and establishment of an illegal church organisation in his home”. The judge sentenced Naser to ten years in prison and the courts refused his repeated requests for a retrial. His appeal against his sentence in 2017 was rejected.
Fariba, who was arrested with five other Christians in July last year, was sentenced to five years in prison for “acting against national security by establishing and leading an evangelical Christian church”.
Christians in Iran are often accused of colluding with foreign forces to undermine the Islamic revolution. It is illegal in Iran to hold church services in the Farsi national language. Converting from Islam – also known as apostasy – is an act of betrayal, not just against the faith but against the state. Apostasy is punishable by death for men, or life imprisonment for women.
To limit the spread of the Christian faith, authorities have closed many churches, driving congregations underground. Most Christians in Iran now meet in private homes. Meetings are closely monitored by the Revolutionary Guard, especially the activities of Christian leaders.
Prominent figures such as pastors often come under the scrutiny of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. Many have been forced out of the country. Converts who remain in Iran face pressure from the state and from their families.
Despite the persecution, the Christian faith is spreading rapidly among Iranians, in their own country and where they are scattered around the world. Before the Iranian Revolution, it is estimated there were only a few hundred Christians in the country from a Muslim background. Today, several Christian ministries estimate there are now more than a million Christians in Iran.
Source: Middle Eastern Concern, Release International
Please Pray
Praise God for the release of Naser and Fariba from prison. Pray that they will adjust back into their communities and find support from other Christians.
Pray for peace and stability during this time of unrest in Iran. Pray for the safety of all Muslim-background believers who face persecution for their conversion.
Pray that disillusionment in countries like Iran and Afghanistan will see more people won for Christ.