Barnabas Aid contacts in the Middle East have joined various human rights organisations in raising the alarm on behalf of prisoners being held at Evin Prison in the Iranian capital Tehran.
Many Christians are among the political prisoners held at Evin, as Farsi (Persian)-speaking believers are considered both apostates and a national security threat by the Iranian authorities.
The Iran Human Rights Monitor (IHRM) reports “a total collapse of the administrative and management structure at Evin Prison” that has left inmates confined without access to food or medical care.
More than 60 Christians are among the inmates at Evin Prison facing food shortages, lack of medical care and other potential abuses [Ehsan Iran/Flickr]
Another panel of human rights experts has raised concerns that prisoners now face the risk of “expedited” executions. Others are “are at serious risk of torture, ill-treatment and enforced disappearances”.
The concerns follow joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran that began on 28 February and resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khomenei.
Missiles have struck the area around the prison, and inmates have no way to escape or move to safety.
“Grave and immediate danger”
“According to available evidence,” reports IHRM, “administrative personnel have abandoned their posts, effectively ceasing all supervision over the provision of prisoners’ essential life-sustaining needs.
“This situation has placed hundreds of political and ideological prisoners – who are confined in a closed environment with no means of self-defence or means to provide themselves – in grave and immediate danger.”
Some prisoners who have been able to get messages out of the prison have said they have access to only “dry bread and water”, and that these supplies are limited.
The Iranian authorities have a track record of abusing and torturing political prisoners at Evin.
More than 60 Christians are believed to be 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.
Some were temporarily transferred when Evin Prison was struck during the Twelve-Day War of June 2025.
How you can pray
Ask for the protection and welfare of our brothers and sisters along with all the prisoners at Evin. Pray that action will be taken to ensure that they have the food and other necessities that they require. Pray that Christian converts and other inmates who have done no wrong will be freed.
