For the past couple of years, we've been praying for Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh, a Christian in Iran who converted from Islam. He was arrested and thrown in prison for his faith, and now his request for conditional release has been rejected. He received a handwritten letter last week from the Tehran's prosecutor's office, informing him of the decision. Iranian authorities haven't given any explanation.
Nasser and three visitors from Azerbajan were arrested in 2016 at a private gathering in Tehran. They were held in solitary confinement for two months in Evin prison and endured intense interogation. After losing an appeal to his conviction of 'action against national security and establishing house churches,' he began serving his 10 year prison sentence in January of 2018.
The news comes as a bitter blow to the Christian convert, who turns 60 in August. He was regularly assured by prison authorities in recent months that his request would be accepted. Nassar is eligible for parole, having served over one third of his sentence for 'actions against national security' - in other words because he belonged to a house church.
Nasser has requested retrial 3 times since 2018, and written several open letters asking why his membership in a house church was deemed a crime.
Nassar has not yet been able to bring himself to tell his elderly mother that their wait must go on.
Nasser had shared with her in recent months that he hoped soon to return and to ease the burden on the other relatives who have stepped in to care for her.
Our brother Nasser has asked for people to pray for him, saying he needs "comfort from the Lord."
Ask God to wrap Nassar in a blanket of his peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4-7)
Please pray for mercy for Nasser to miraculously be set free, as prisoners eligible for parole can be, so that he can continue caring for his mother.
Lift up Nassar's family, that they might see his testimony and come to Christ as a result.
Thanks so much for praying for our dear brother. Prayer from Open Doors USA text alert.
Nasser and three visitors from Azerbajan were arrested in 2016 at a private gathering in Tehran. They were held in solitary confinement for two months in Evin prison and endured intense interogation. After losing an appeal to his conviction of 'action against national security and establishing house churches,' he began serving his 10 year prison sentence in January of 2018.
The news comes as a bitter blow to the Christian convert, who turns 60 in August. He was regularly assured by prison authorities in recent months that his request would be accepted. Nassar is eligible for parole, having served over one third of his sentence for 'actions against national security' - in other words because he belonged to a house church.
Nasser has requested retrial 3 times since 2018, and written several open letters asking why his membership in a house church was deemed a crime.
Nassar has not yet been able to bring himself to tell his elderly mother that their wait must go on.
Nasser had shared with her in recent months that he hoped soon to return and to ease the burden on the other relatives who have stepped in to care for her.
Our brother Nasser has asked for people to pray for him, saying he needs "comfort from the Lord."
Ask God to wrap Nassar in a blanket of his peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4-7)
Please pray for mercy for Nasser to miraculously be set free, as prisoners eligible for parole can be, so that he can continue caring for his mother.
Lift up Nassar's family, that they might see his testimony and come to Christ as a result.
Thanks so much for praying for our dear brother. Prayer from Open Doors USA text alert.