Two advocates for justice arrested in Iran – please pray

Please pray following the arrest of two citizens known for their defiant advocacy against injustices perpetrated by the Iranian government.

Months since the protests and mass loss of life, the days of Iran’s people are continually plagued by fear, uncertainty and growing need. The air is fraught with political tensions and the echoes of explosions. With rising living costs, the persistent anxiety of being targeted by the authorities remains – that’s what happened to Bahar Sahraian, who was arrested recently in the city of Shiraz. 

Sahraian is a reputed lawyer, widely known for defending Iranian Christians, political prisoners and individuals from religious minorities who often have no protection under Iran’s judicial system. She has worked for years with persecuted Christians and vulnerable groups as an advocate – a voice that has been temporarily silenced under the tightening fist of the Iranian regime. 

Once arrested, Sahraian was transferred to Adelabad prison, an institution infamous for its intimidation, abuse and silencing of dissidents. Its harsh conditions raise deep concerns for the well-being of Sahraian and other political prisoners confined there. 

Made to disappear 

You may remember that, five years ago, Open Doors called for prayer for Mary Mohammadi, a Christian convert who works as a human rights defender and journalist. Mary was arrested for the first time at age 19, when she converted from Islam to Christianity, and was confined to Evin prison between November 2017 and May 2018. She was rearrested in 2020 and came in and out of prison for another few months. 

Once again this year, Mary has reportedly been arrested by the authorities. According to Amnesty International, she was ‘subjected to enforced disappearance’ when she was travelling from Tehran to Ahvaz in February. At that time, Mary was in communication with her family – but on 26 February, her messages abruptly cut off. 

Since her disappearance, the authorities have refused to disclose Mary’s whereabouts. Amnesty International states that she was detained in Ahvaz before being transferred to an unknown location at the start of April. 

Sadly, such an incident is not rare in Iran, nor is the authorities’ refusal to offer more information. Voices of justice for Christians and other minorities are often targeted for exposing government injustices in Iran, and Mary Mohammadi is prominent amongst dissidents supporting Christians. In 2023, she was presented with the St Stephen’s Award for persecuted Christians at a ceremony in Bonn for her ‘outstanding courage’ and ‘extraordinary selflessness’.  

Now, many fear that prisoners like Bahar and Mary are being forced to endure cruel conditions and intense interrogation. Further, these events only compound the anxieties felt by the Christian community in Iran – that those who speak up for them will only be silenced and punished. Believers remain highly vulnerable to arrest and persecution in this time of greater government surveillance. 

This is one of many challenges facing the church across the Middle East, and why your support is crucial in helping strengthen what remains. Please continue to stand with them.