[Iran] Armenian Pastor Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison Released After One Year

“He will hear the groans of the prisoners so the name of the LORD will be declared.”

After more than a year into his sentence, an Iranian-Armenian pastor recently sentenced to 10 years in prison in Iran has been released after his appeal was upheld, The Christian Post reported on the 28th. Anoushavan Abedian’s appeal was accepted by Tehran Appeals Court Branch 21 and he was immediately released, according to UK-based religious freedom advocacy organization Article 18.

“It is unjust that Anoushavan spent even one day in prison, especially now that it has been established that he has committed no crime, and we hope that he will be fully compensated for all that he has been through,” said Mansour Borji, Director of Article 18.

Anoushavan was arrested in August 2020 when around 30 intelligence officers raided a private gathering in his home in the Narmak, neighbourhood of northeastern Tehran. At his trial in Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for “founding and leading an illegal organization that sought to distort the Islamic faith and undermine national security through educational and propaganda activities.”

According to Article 18, while imprisoned in Evin Prison, Anoushavan and his colleagues were subjected to mental torture and degrading treatment during interrogations. Their defence efforts were focused on insults to their character and faith.

The United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) has repeatedly called on the Iranian government to release and provide adequate compensation to those imprisoned for exercising their freedom of religion or faith. There are currently at least 21 Christians serving time in Iran on faith-related charges, with more than 10 of them in Evin Prison.

The Iranian government views the growth of Christianity as a threat to the Islamic regime. According to U.S. Open Doors Ministries’ Global Persecution Watch List, Iran ranks ninth on the list of Christian persecution and converts from Islam to Christianity are at greatest risk.

“The Iranian government sees the growth of the Christian church as an attempt by Western nations to undermine Islam and Iran’s Islamic regime. House churches comprised of converts from Muslim backgrounds are often raided, and both leaders and members are arrested, charged with ’crimes against national security’ and sentenced to lengthy prison terms,” Open Door said. (Source: Gospel Prayer News)

“to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death.” So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the LORD. (Psalm 102:20-22).

Dear God, we thank You for the release of Pastor Anoushavan who was unjustly sentenced for his faith in Iran. May this act of Yours bring great comfort and strength to the persecuted church in Iran, and may it encourage them to turn to You in trust and petition. Hold up those who are willing to suffer threat and hardship for Christ’s sake, even as if they were destined to be killed, and grant them speedy release. Pray that You would work without ceasing through the prayers of churches until the name of the living God, who hears the cries of the imprisoned, is proclaimed and every soul in Iran worships You.

Prayer 24·365
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