CHRISTIAN NEWS.COM.- In Iran, Homayoun Zhaveh and his wife, Sara Ahmadi, were detained in Tehran’s Evin prison, known for its harsh treatment of people considered political enemies of the state, reports Christian Post.
Middle East Concern (MEC) reported that they were first arrested in June 2019 on suspicion of belonging to an “illegal organization”, with Zhaveh serving a month in prison in Evin jail and Ahmadi being held there for 67 days, half of time in solitary confinement.
In November 2020, Ahmadi was sentenced to 11 years in prison for her alleged role in running a house church, according to MEC, adding that Zhaveh was sentenced to two years for being a member of the church.
The sentences included a two-year ban from belonging to any social or political group, a two-year foreign travel ban, and six months of community service.
“The friends are concerned about his well-being, especially since Homayoun suffers from advanced Parkinson’s disease,” he said. Christian Solidarity International (CSI) in a statement dated October 6, citing information from Middle East Concern.
jail in iran
The convictions were upheld on appeal in December 2020, but Ahmadi’s prison sentence was reduced to eight years.
Due to the pandemic, the couple was ordered to confine themselves to their home, instead of serving time in a jail cell.
“On August 13, Homayoun and Sara responded to a summons at the prison, expecting the return of their confiscated property,” MEC stated. “Instead, they were both detained.”
Also serving time in Evin prison was house church leader Joseph Shahbazian, who was sentenced to 10 years.
The reason for the arrest was “to found and direct an organization whose objective is to disturb national security”, according to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)”.
Initially the leader was arrested on June 30, 2020, but Pastor Shahbazian was released on bail on August 22 of that year.
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