Iran Christian Facing 10-Year Prison Sentence in Iran Deported from Turkey

7/18/2025  (ICC)

Mehran Shamloui, an Iranian Christian convert, was deported from Turkey to Iran on July 3 after he attempted to escape imprisonment in Iran for his faith. Iranian authorities detained Shamloui after he landed at Iran’s Mashhad International Airport. Shamloui, along with two other Christians, was initially arrested by Iranian authorities in November 2024 for participating in a house church. Shamloui was released after posting bail in December 2024. However, in March 2025, Shamloui was sentenced to 10 years and 8 months in prison for “propaganda activities contrary to Islamic law [and] membership in groups opposing the state.” Shamloui fled Iran and attempted to make it to Europe, but was stopped in Turkey due to a lack of proper documentation. Turkey has reportedly been deporting Christians due to their faith for several years.

Please pray…

• Pray for Shamloui, who will likely be beaten and tortured while in an Iranian prison. 

• Pray that he keeps his faith and has opportunities to witness for Jesus in prison.

• Pray for his family to be supported while he is in prison. Pray for his swift release.