Iran: Christian Pastor freed from prison to face trial
by Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent
TEHRAN, IRAN (Worthy News)– Arrested on charges of blasphemy against Islam, Pastor Matthias Haghnejad is now free on bail, according to ASSIST News Service.
Haghnejad’s bail was set at $30,000.
“A family member pledged their property so that he could get out of prison,” said Jason DeMars of Present Truth Ministries. “Thank you for praying for him and for all who helped make this known throughout the world. God worked through your prayers and made a way for his release.”
“This is a serious charge against him so I ask that you continue to pray for him and his family, he said. “God made a way for his acquittal previously and I believe he will do so again.”
DeMars said Haghnejad was imprisoned without access to an attorney by the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and National Security; he was arrested during a pastoral visit with a family in the Rasht area.
“Typically, under these circumstances,” said DeMars, “pastors are being tortured in order to gain as much information as possible from them.” He said that MOIS, one the most powerful ministries in the Iranian government, operates many of these facilities without any government oversight.
“These facilities are reserved for those deemed a threat to national security, often political prisoners,” he said. “Once again, the Iranian regime proves that it cares very little for human rights of any kind. Here, a simple pastor from Bandar-e Anzali is arrested, held incommunicado and presumably is being tortured.”
As a reminder, DeMars said Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani still remains in prison for apostasy while awaiting the re-examination of his case.
“Continue to pray, write him letters and send emails to Iranian embassies requesting his release,” said DeMars. “With God all things are possible!”
Please continue to hold up both men in prayer.