Iranian Christians request prayer for Christian converts Homayoun Zhaveh (62) and his wife Sara Ahmadi (42) who are expecting to be summoned to serve prison sentences on account of their house church activities.
Homayoun, who suffers from advanced Parkinson’s disease, was holidaying with his wife and some friends in Amol on the Caspian Sea in June 2019 when they were arrested by intelligence agents.
After questioning, the other Christians were released, but Homayoun and Sara were detained, first in Amol, and then in Evin Prison in Tehran.
Homayoun was released after a month, but Sara was held for a 67 days, 33 in solitary confinement, and subjected to severe psychological abuse.
In November 2020 Homayoun and Sara were sentenced to two and 11 years’ prison respectively for house church membership and leadership. In addition, they are banned from foreign travel or membership of any social or political group for two years after their release, as well as required to perform six months’ community service at a centre for the mentally disabled.
Homayoun and Sara’s lawyer stated; “My clients have always insisted that they haven’t engaged in any actions against national security, nor do they harbour any animosity or hostility towards the government,”
0n 30 December 2020 Sara’s prison term was reduced to eight years on appeal but the other sentences were upheld.
On 14 March they were notified their case had been forwarded to the government department responsible for enforcing sentences and they may be summoned at any time to serve the prison sentences.
Prayer is requested that:
- God will strengthen and encourage Homayoun and Sara at this difficult time.
- God will keep them safe during the pandemic, especially Homayoun who is at high risk on account of his age and poor health.
- The Iranian authorities will stop persecuting Christian converts like Homayoun and Sara for the peaceful practice of their faith.
Open source: https://articleeighteen.com/news/8104/
