Christians are among busloads of Iranian prisoners who have been transferred to other prisons in the region after Evin Prison, Tehran was hit by an Israeli airstrike on 23 June.
It is understood that some of the male Christian prisoners were transferred to the Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary; female prisoners were relocated to Qarchak women’s prison.
Both prisons are reported to be significantly overcrowded.
Evin Prison, Tehran, where several Christians were held prior to the airstrike on 23 June [Image credit: Article 18]
More than 60 Christians were either serving sentences or being detained at Evin Prison awaiting trial on charges concerning their faith.
Christian prisoners held in Evin Prison include Joseph Shahbazian and Naser Navard Gol-Tapeh, Hakop Gochumyan and Mina Khajavi. Three Iranian converts from Islam, whose appeals against charges of “propaganda against the state” were turned down in April, were also held at Evin Prison.
Among the targets in airstrikes were the Tehran prosecutor’s office, where numerous Christians have been brought to answer charges, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) headquarters. A ceasefire came into effect on 24 June, the day following the attack on Tehran.
Some prison officers were reported to have been killed in the airstrike on the prison.
How you can pray
Pray for the protection and welfare of Christian prisoners evacuated from Evin Prison. Pray that God will use overcrowding to persuade the authorities to review the sentences of Christians held on spurious grounds. Ask the Lord to direct this unexpected turn of events for the furtherance of His kingdom as more inmates are exposed to the Gospel.
