Published on: 9 November 2023
BACKGROUND SUMMARY
After serving one year in Tehran’s Evin Prison, Pastor Avedian was acquitted and released in September 2024.
On the same day that Pastor Joseph Shahbazian was released from prison, Pastor Anooshavan Avedian, 61 years old, was summoned to begin serving his 10-year sentence in Evin Prison, Tehran.
Pastor Avedian was initially arrested a little over three years ago at his home where a group of 18 Christians had gathered together for a house church service. At that time, thirty agents raided his home, confiscated the Bibles and telephones of all present at the meeting, and detained Pastor Avedian and several others, including Christian converts Abbas Soori and Maryam Mohammadi. The three were temporarily released on bail.
Many of the other Christians present at the house church meeting were interrogated and made to sign documents stating that, once released, they would no longer attend house-church meetings or have further contact with Christians.
TIMELINE
August 21, 2020: Arrested.
September 23, 2020: Released on bail.
April 10, 2022: Summoned to the 26th Branch of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran to face charges of “propaganda activitycontrary to the holy religion of Islam” and “acting against the country’s security through the organisation and leadership of an Evangelical Christian house-church.”
April 11, 2022: Sentenced to 10 years in prison and 10 years’ deprivation of social rights after release.
May 29, 2022: Appeal court upheld sentence.
September 2023: Began serving 10-year sentence.
September 2024: Acquitted and released from Evin Prison in Tehran after serving a little more than one year behind bars.
PRAYER NEEDS
Pray that Pastor Avedian will be allowed to exercise his freedom of belief in Iran, serving God and his fellow believers. Ask God to protect his life and the lives of his family members and that no harm from the authorities would befall them.
