Homayoun Zhaveh, 63, and his wife Sara Ahmadi, 44, were suddenly taken into custody on August 13 after they arrived at Tehran’s Evin prison. Right now they are being detained with no explanation from authorities. According to Article 18, Homayoun, who suffers from advanced Parkinson’s Disease, was allowed only to call family to ask them to pick up the car they used to get to the prison.
We’ve been praying with this couple since June 2019 when we learned of their arrest and detainment in Tehran’s inhumane Evin Prison (known as Iran’s “torture factory”). More than a year later in November 2020, a court sentenced the husband and wife to two and 11 years in prison, respectively, for being part of and leading a house church. On appeal, Sara’s 11-year sentence was reduced to eight.
After Iran’s Supreme Court rejected their appeal for a retrial in June 2021, they reported to prison to start their sentences but were told they could go back home.
More than a year later, they have now suddenly been detained.
“We can only speculate about why this has happened,” Mansour Borji, Article18’s advocacy director, said about their detention. “It is nevertheless extremely concerning that an elderly man with an extremely serious health condition has been detained, and there is every chance, unfortunately, that the stress of their detention will make Homayoun’s condition worse.”
Pray by name with Homayoun and Sara as they endure yet another detainment in Evin Prison. Ask God to give them favor with authorities and pray especially for Homayoun’s health as he battles this illness.
