Couple Assaulted and Whipped

Photos from FCNN

In July 2007, an Iranian Christian couple was sentenced by the Justice Court of Revolution to be whipped, two years after they were accused of attending a house church. According to Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN), "The couple was arrested on September 21, 2005, by government agents. They had gathered in a house, in a town northwest of Tehran (Gohar dasht) for their regular prayer and devotional time." The FCNN reported the woman was born into a Christian Assyrian-Iranian family, while the man converted to Christianity long before their marriage. Following the arrest in 2005, the couple was required to check in with authorities on a regular basis until the court decided their punishment. FCNN reported the last time the wife met with authorities, she was sexually abused by one of the agents who also happened to be a Muslim clergyman. She decided not to return. According to FCNN, a few days later, in September 2007, two female and four male agents went to this couple's house and showed them a letter from the court saying they would execute the sentence of whipping right there in their house. The couple was then whipped. According to FCNN, "this couple is under high mental pressure right now" and requested all Iranians and believers in Christ all over the world to pray for peace, health and protection of this family.

Pray for healing and strength for this couple as they stand firm in their faith as they labour for Christ (1 Cor. 15:58).

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Iran, go to the Iran Country Report.