Praise God! Iranian prisoners' sentences have been reduced

Three Iranian Christians, who were serving 10-year sentences, have had their prison time reduced after an appeal! 

Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, Saheb Fadaie and Yuhan Omidi were initially sentenced to 10 years in prison, but now, after an appeal, Pastor Yousef and Saheb have had their sentences reduced to six years, and Mohammadreza to two years – he will be eligible for release in July.  

A fourth church member, Yasser Mossayebzadeh, was arrested and convicted at the same time, but it is not yet known what decision (if any) has been taken in his case. 

The four men were arrested in Rasht, Iran, in 2016. They had a court hearing in June 2017, where each of the men was given a 10-year prison sentence for ‘acting against the national security’ for running and participating in house churches. Yousef and Yuhan were also sentenced to two years' internal exile in the south of the country. 

What’s life like for Christians in Iran? 

There was an initial appeal in May 2018 which upheld the sentences but, praise God, after a further review in May 2020, the sentences were reduced.  

While believers are delighted that that Yuhan is likely to be released soon and that Yousef and Saheb’s sentences have been reduced, they still fervently hope that they will eventually be acquitted of all charges related to living out their faith peacefully. 

House churches are illegal in Iran; they are monitored and frequently raided, and dozens of Christians are imprisoned in appalling conditions.  

Iran: The underground church is sharing Christ’s love in Covid-19 crisis

And yet the church is growing! Rachel and Mojtaba are two secret house church leaders who were imprisoned for their faith. Watch them tell their stories, and how God was with them, below: 

(Source of information in this article: Middle Eastern Concern)