Asylum Rejected by Swedish Authorities


Majid and Hamid Khosravi
Photo: Mohabat News

According to two recent reports, Iranian Christian converts currently living in Sweden are now at risk of deportation following decisions made by the Swedish Immigration Board rejecting their asylum applications.

Due to harassment and persecution by the Islamic secret police, Majid and Hamid Khosravi, who both converted to Christianity approximately ten years ago, decided to leave the country of Iran and seek asylum in Sweden. Those on the Swedish Immigration Board were not convinced of the two young men's Christian faith and the risk deportation could pose on their lives. (In Iran, converting from Islam to any religion is considered apostasy and, therefore, punishable by death.) Contrary to the board's conclusion, the senior pastor of the Iranian church in Stockholm testifies that both of these young men had actively served on the worship team of the Persian-speaking church and were also contributors to Iranian Christian TV networks and websites.

Another Christian convert, Parvaneh Sarabadi, also faces deportation to Iran. Shortly after converting from Islam to Christianity about two years ago, her husband, who became a believer about the same time, was murdered by a relative working for the government's Islamic regime. Forced to illegally leave the country due to severe harassment, sexual abuse and mental pressure, Parvaneh fled to Sweden where she, too, sought refuge. Despite confirmations from the church regarding her claim, and the support of several human rights advocacy groups, her application was turned down as well. To better understand the challenges facing Iranian believers, please go to the Iran Country Report.

Pray that our Almighty God will mediate on behalf of these suffering believers who are desperately seeking asylum, especially considering that they are at risk of further threat, torture and persecution. May He abundantly bless our Christian brothers, Majid and Hamid, as well as our dear sister Parvaneh, for demonstrating such steadfast faith. Please intercede for their protection and greatly needed strength throughout this time of tribulation. Also ask that God will enlighten the minds of all those in positions of authority and political power in both of these countries so they will govern justly over all of God's people.

  • Current Ministry Fund

    By funding television broadcasts, VOMC is making it possible for a vast audience of viewers to be reached throughout Iran with the "Good News" of Jesus' love via satellite.

    Project Fund: Underground Church

  • Country Information

    Designation
    Persecuted

    Population
    87,590,873 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity
    Persian, Azeri, Kurd, Lur, Baloch, Arab, Turkmen and Turkic tribes

    Religion (%)
    Islam (98.5), Christian (0.7), Baha'i (0.3), agnostic (0.3), other (0.2)

    Leader
    Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-Khamenei (1989)

    Government type
    Theocratic republic

    Legal system
    Religious legal system based on secular and Islamic law

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Iran

    As the Gospel message goes forth over the airwaves, may the growth of the church continue to multiply despite persecution. Pray that the Iranian government will be open to change, allowing full rights and protection for its non-Muslim citizens as well. In the meantime, may those who are forced to flee the country find safe refuge and help so they can live in peace and worship the Lord with freedom.

Iran News

  • Retrial Denied for Imprisoned Believer
    Mehran
    Mehran Shamloui
    Photo: Article 18

    Iran's Supreme Court has recently rejected the application for a retrial that was submitted on behalf of Mehran Shamloui, a Christian believer who is currently serving a ten-year prison sentence for his participation in house church activities. Recipients of previously published Persecution & Prayer Alert reports may recall that Mehran had fled to Türkiye in search of refuge. While there, the accused Iranian was apprehended and forced to return to Iran, where he had subsequently been arrested. (The initially posted report regarding Mehran's arrest may be reviewed here.)

  • Over 50 Arrested Christians Accused of Espionage
    A map of Iran has several labels, all showing where Christians were arrested since June 24, 2025.
    A map of Iran, marking the arrests
    of Christians since June 24, 2025. 
    (Click on the image for a larger view.)
    Photo: Article18

    Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) recently reported that over 50 Christians have been arrested since the end of the recent conflict between Iran and Israel in June 2025. The country's intelligence agency labelled the detained believers as "Mossad mercenaries," claiming that they had been trained by churches abroad and were now operating "under the guise of the Zionist Christian evangelization movement."

  • Convicted Christian Deported and Arrested
    Mehran
    Mehran Shamloui
    Photo: Article 18

    On March 8th, Mehran Shamloui was one of three Christians convicted in Iran for "propaganda" and membership in an alleged "opposition group." He was sentenced to more than ten years in prison. (For more details, see this report.)

  • Laleh Saati Receives Conditional Release
    A smiling Laleh is outside, and the sun is shining on her face. A tree is in the background.
    Laleh Saati
    Photo: Article18

    Laleh Saati is a Christian convert and former asylum-seeker who was incarcerated in February 2024 and sentenced to two years in prison. (For more information on the imprisonment of this 46-year-old Iranian follower of Jesus, visit this page.) Throughout Laleh's time in custody, concerns have been raised about her physical health and psychological well-being. Most recently, it was reported that the Christian woman was denied needed medical treatment for a hand injury that had occurred as a result of a fall.