10 Year Prison Sentence 

Anooshavan Avedian, a 61 year old Iranian-Armenian pastor has commenced his 10 year prison sentence after a delay in his summons, coinciding with the release of another pastor, Joseph Shahbazian. As reported by Open Doors UK, Pastor Avedia’s troubles began over three years ago when he, along with two Christian converts, Soori and Mohammadi, was arrested during a home raid. He not only faces a decade in prison, but also an additional 10 years of ‘deprivation of social rights’ upon release. Despite their retrial requests, the Supreme Court summarily rejected them. Pastor Avedian's lawyer expressed concerns about due process violations and the use of security pressure as officers who visited him threatened to forcibly transport him to prison if he resisted. This situation underscores ongoing challenges to religious freedom and justice arbitrariness in Iran’s legal system. Joseph Shahbazian's recent release offers hope, and many are praying for Pastor Avedian's release, as well as urging Iranian authorities to reconsider his case.


Please pray:

For God's protection and strength for Pastor Avedian during his imprisonment that he may find solace and faith to ensure this difficult time.

That the Iranian authorities may reconsider Pastor Avedian’s case, showing compassion and justice by granting him his rightful release and upholding religious freedom for all individuals in Iran.