Update on imprisoned Iranian believers

Mojtaba Hosseini, Mohammad-Reza Partoei (Kourosh),
Vahid Hakkani, Homayoun Shokouhi
and his wife, Fariba Nazemian
Photo: Mohabat News

In our Persecution & Prayer Alert last week, we shared about five Iranian Christians who faced trial on October 15. The believers – Mojtaba Hosseini, Mohammad-Reza Partoei (Kourosh), Vahid Hakkani, Homayoun Shokouhi and his wife, Fariba Nazemian – were detained in Adel-Abad prison eight months ago following a raid on a house church in Shiraz. They were charged with creating illegal groups, participating in a house church service, propagation against the Islamic regime, and defaming Islamic holy figures through Christian evangelizing.

Middle East Concern recently posted the following update on these believers:

Fariba was released on October 18 after a substantial bail payment was deposited on her behalf. The authorities refused the property title deeds initially offered as bail, but accepted deeds subsequently offered.

The further hearing for these five believers has been scheduled for Thursday, October 25.

No verdict was delivered at the hearing held on October 15. Release on bail was also offered to Mojtaba, Mohammad-Reza and Vahid. Their relatives and friends are trying to raise sufficient funds to meet the bail demand. Fariba's husband, Homayoun, was not offered bail.

Please pray over this situation.

• Thank the Lord that Fariba was released on bail. Pray that God will give her and her two children peace at this time. Pray that Homayoun will soon be released.  
• Pray that the hearing on October 25 will be conducted fairly and justly, and that the believers involved will know the Spirit's enabling wisdom. 
• Pray that the five Christians will be acquitted of all charges and released unconditionally.