Anooshavan Avedian

On August 21, 2020, house church leader Anooshavan Avedian, was detained along with several others, by MOIS agents, after they raided his home in Narmak during a private worship meeting. Agents also confiscated Bibles and communication devices. On September 23, 2020, Anooshavan was released on bail.

On April 11, 2022, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Anooshavan to ten years in prison for “establishing and leading an illegal group with the aim of disrupting the security of the country through educational and propaganda activities contrary to, and disturbing the Holy religion of Islam, through the dissemination of false claims.”

Anooshavan appealed his sentence, but in August 2022 his appeal was rejected.

On 13 September, 2023, intelligence officers informed Anooshavan he was to present himself at Evin Prison to begin his sentence. And on 18 September, 2023, Anooshavan handed himself in to authorities to begin his sentence.