Faith
Iran Jails Christians for Faithful Witness
Faith Facts
- Five Christians in Iran were sentenced to a total of 50 years in prison for worship, baptism, and sharing Bibles.
- The verdict was delivered by Tehran’s Revolutionary Court under charges related to “gathering and collusion” and “propaganda.”
- Personal Bibles and Christian materials were confiscated, and the believers face health struggles and extreme bail conditions.
Across Tehran, daily life continued, yet five believers faced heavy sentences for living out their Christian faith in secret.
The group—two men and three women—faced imprisonment for praying, baptizing fellow believers, and distributing Bibles, all under laws targeting religious activities.
Presiding Judge Abolqasem Salavati has a history of issuing harsh penalties against perceived threats to the government.
Baptist Pastor Joseph Shahbazian, Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh, Aida Najaflou, and another unnamed woman were each given 10-year sentences, while Najaflou received 2 more years for her social media posts, and Shahbazian’s wife was issued eight.
The court accused the five of conspiring and spreading Christian “propaganda,” but the verdicts were kept from them until weeks after the trial.
They were stripped of their Bibles and Christian writings, echoing past cases where religious materials were seized and believers punished for steadfast witness.
Both Shahbazian and Gol-Tapeh previously served time for leading underground house churches; Gol-Tapeh completed a five-year sentence before his release in 2022, while Shahbazian was previously freed after over a year served from an earlier sentence.
Bail demands soared to levels many families could not afford, with Najaflou’s set at approximately $130,000 and Gol-Tapeh’s at nearly $250,000. Shahbazian’s family was misled about his bail status.
Najaflou, 44, faced these ordeals despite recent spinal surgery and a serious fall in prison that was left inadequately treated, which later caused a severe infection.
“Today, I shed tears for my aggrieved client Aida Najaflou, tears that had been in my heart for days and today flowed from my eyes during my visit to Evin Prison. I humbly request all judicial authorities of the country to come to the aid of this prisoner at risk of spinal cord severance.”
The official indictment quoted Iran’s Supreme Leader declaring house churches a national threat and labeled the Christians’ evangelism as foreign subversion, criticizing their faith-driven mission as criminal.
One defendant’s testimony read: “This action is part of my faith as a Christian. I would like to learn Christian theology and share it with my loved ones in Christ.”
Months of pretrial detention and unduly harsh bail are clear reminders that persecution for faith persists, as highlighted by advocates for religious liberty.
Believers like Shahbazian and Gol-Tapeh endure physical and spiritual trials because they hold fast to the Gospel. May we intercede for our persecuted family, remembering that the light of Christ still shines in darkness.
Pray for those unjustly punished for their faith, and stay encouraged to share God’s love boldly.