Due to the current war in Iran, NZ Post are unable to post mail to Iran. Until further notice, please send any letters to the Iranian Embassy.
Head of Mission:
His Excellency Mr Reza Nazar Ahari
PO Box 14733
Kilbirnie
Wellington
New Zealand
DETAINED:
No reason given
On February 6, Pastor Joseph Shahbazian, an Armenian-Iranian, was rearrested and taken to Iran’s notorious Evin prison. No reason for the arrest was given.
Pastor Joseph was initially arrested on June 30, 2020. He was released after a lengthy bail process in which prosecutors initially asked for 3 billion tomans (around $150,000 USD). They later reduced his bail to a still-exorbitant amount of 2 billion tomans ($100,000).
On June 6, 2023, Pastor Joseph was sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of “acting against national security” for leading home churches attended by Muslim converts to Christianity. Iranian authorities view those who attend and lead house churches as “enemy groups.” Pastor Joseph began serving his 10-year sentence on August 17, 2022, when his appeal was denied.
In September 2023, thirteen months later, Pastor Joseph received a pardon and was released along with numerous other Christian prisoners during a general amnesty. Throughout his time in prison, Pastor Joseph suffered from a medical condition.
Pastor Joseph Shahbazian was resentenced to 10 years in prison. He had previously been sentenced to 10 years and had served one year before being pardoned in
Christian converts Mehran Shamloui, Joseph Shabazian, Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh and Hakop Gochumyan were transferred back to Evin Prison in August after the prison was partially
It has been reported that Amir Ali-Minae, Hakop Gochumyan, Joseph Shahbazian and Naser Navera Gol-Tapeh were among those transferred to the Greater Tehran Penitentiary during the 12-Day
According to reports, Joseph Shahbazian was transferred from Evin Prison during the 12-day War along with at least 10 other Christian prisoners of conscience to other
According to reports, Joseph Shahbazian, Naser Navard Gol-Tapath, Amir Ali-Minae, Hakop Gochumyan and Mina Khajavi, were transferred, along with busloads of other prisoners from Evin
In 2022, Pastor Joseph Shahbazian was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment for his Christian ministry work in Iran. After an appeal, he was released a
Subscribe for updates on prisoners
