Iranian Christians are thankful that Rokhsareh (Mahrokh) Ghanbari has been released from prison.
Mahrokh was convicted of “propaganda against the system” after a hearing at Karaj Revolutionary Court on 27 July 2019 and sentenced to one year in prison. She was initially arrested shortly before Christmas 2018, when three agents from Iranian intelligence raided her home. She was detained for ten days and endured intense interrogation.
Mahrokh started serving her prison sentence at Kachui Prison, Karaj, on 14 October 2019. She was released temporarily as of 2 March because of the COVID-19 pandemic, after providing security. On 2 April prison authorities informed Mahrokh that she was no longer required to return to prison. It is expected that she will be able to reclaim the money put down as security.
With the outbreak of COVID-19 in Iran, around 85,000 prisoners have been released, including some Christians. However, Christians convicted on political charges, such as “acting against national security” have been refused release, along with other political prisoners.
Source: Middle East Concern
- Thank the Lord for Mahrokh’s early release. Pray that her testimony may strengthen other believers.
- Pray she will be healed from any trauma associated with her detention and adjust well to normal life.
- Pray for the Christians detained on political charges who face exposure to COVID-19 infection, that they will know God’s protection and consolation and will also be released
Post your prayer in the comments below.
Our Father, thank you for answering our prayers for our sister, Mahrokh, We rejoice with her that she has been released from prison and ask that she might regain the money provided as security prior to her ‘complete’ release. We ask that her testimony might be a very real encouragement to other believers particularly in the present COVID-19 climate. Blessed Lord, you set the prisoners free and set the lonely in families (Psalm 68), have mercy and giving deep comfort to the many Christians convicted on political charges, such as “acting against national security”. Please give them a strong sense of assurance rather than condemnation and may your Spirit bless them with fellowship, true and pure. (2 Corinthians 13:14)