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Hakop Gochumyan and his wife Elisa are citizens of Armenia who were visiting Iran in August 2023. While this Christian couple were having dinner with friends, government agents raided the gathering, resulting in their arrest. Eventually, Elisa was released on bail and permitted to return to Armenia with their children. However, Hakop was convicted and sentenced to ten years in prison for allegedly "engaging in deviant proselytizing activity." For more details, see our previously posted report.
On May 9th, a letter was made public in which Hakop described his experience behind bars. In the letter, he denied all the charges against him. The Christian man also stated that the investigation by the Iranian authorities was done without the assistance of a translator or lawyer. Additionally, threats were made against his life and the lives of his family members, some of whom are presently residing in Iran.
Additionally, in a disturbing twist, Hakop revealed that his interrogators confessed to the murder of Haik Hovsepian, a well-known Christian leader who was assassinated in 1994. The Iranian authorities described Haik's death in detail and then threatened to kill Hakop in the same way. View the believer's full letter.
Following Hakop's sentencing in February 2024, both the appeal court and the Supreme Court have rejected his appeal. As a result, the detained Christian continues to serve his sentence in Tehran's notorious Evin Prison, along with many other followers of Jesus who have been arrested for their faith. More details concerning the persecution of Christians in Iran are available at our country report.
An informative documentary featuring the story of Haik Hovsepian has been produced by Hovsepian Ministries, a Christian organization that was founded by his family. To learn more about the dedicated life and ministry of this martyred bishop, you may view the short film at VOMCanada.com/video/hovsepian1.
- Please remember Hakop in your prayers as he continues to serve time in prison, praying that this detained believer would tangibly sense our Heavenly Father's sustaining presence, strength and peace as he awaits his hopeful release.
- Also prayerfully uphold Hakop's wife Elisa, along with their children, during this difficult time of separation, asking God to comfort, strengthen and sustain them as well.
- In light of the threats made against Hakop and his loved ones, ask that God's divine protection and peace would remain over each of their lives.
- Continue to pray for the endurance, encouragement and release of the many other Christians in Iran who are presently being imprisoned simply because of their faith in Jesus Christ.
- May the far-reaching ministry of Haik's surviving family be mightily used during these crucial days – not only to strengthen the faith of believers around the world but also to reach those in search of spiritual truth through the creative use of multimedia.
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