Iranian Christians ask if we will pray for Fariba Dalir as she serves a two-year prison sentence for "acting against national security by establishing and leading an evangelical Christian church."
In July 2021, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) agents arrested Fariba in Tehran along with five other Christian converts - including her future husband, Soroush. This is according to Danish European Mission's partner Middle East Concern.
Fariba was held in solitary confinement for 38 days and was then moved to Shahr-e Rey (Qarchak) prison. She was released on November 18 after posting a bail of 600 million tomans (approximately 22,000 USD at the time). Soroush and another convert were also held in solitary confinement for 38 and 20 days respectively before being transferred to Greater Tehran Prison. They were released in October after each paid a bail of 300 million tomans (approximately 11,000 USD). The other three converts, including a 17-year-old, had been released after 10 days of detention.
Fariba, Soroush and three others appeared before Judge Afshari in the 26th branch of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran in November. Fariba was originally sentenced to five years in prison, but this was reduced to two when the judge mistakenly assumed she had been previously convicted.
Soroush and the three other Christians were each sentenced to 10 months in prison, but due to time already spent in detention, they were each allowed to pay a fine of five million tomans (approximately 250 USD) to avoid serving additional jail time.
Fariba and Soroush married shortly after Fariba's conditional release in November.
On April 16, Fariba surrendered to Evin Prison to begin her prison sentence.
Iranian Christians ask if we will pray specifically for the following:
- God will strengthen and encourage Fariba and she will bring God's light and love to the other women in Evin prison
- God will encourage Soroush and the other Christians who are friends of Fariba
- Iranian authorities will stop the persecution of Christian converts and other religious communities in Iran by criminalizing their gathering in homes for prayer and worship
