On July 25, Ali Golchin was released from Evin Prison after paying bail of 200 million Rials (about $21,700 U.S.), according to Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN).
Golchin, 29, was arrested at his home in the city of Varamin on April 29. At the time of his arrest and while he was in prison, government agents searched his home and confiscated a Bible and other books, a computer, his identification documents and other personal belongings, according to FCNN.
Golchin was held in the notorious Section 209 of Evin Prison, where it is believed he was tortured by authorities. “Throughout this time he [Golchin] was only able to meet with his family once for 10 minutes,” FCNN reported. “Ali Golchin had said that during his detention he had faced long and harsh interrogation and his family reported that Ali had described his time in prison as ‘unbearable.’”The courts have not explained why Golchin was held for more than 87 days, and he has not been formally charged with a crime. “This disproportionate bail has been inflicted upon the family in the form of a bond against the title deed of family property of equivalent value; it is keeping not only Ali but the whole family virtually in chains,” FCNN reported.
Prior to Golchin’s release from prison, his father told the Voice of America Persian Service that he believed his son had been arrested because he had Bibles in his home. “The judicial authorities accused us of attempting to convert Muslims by distributing Bibles, which is considered a crime. I told the authorities that these Bibles were not for the purpose of going into the streets and distributing them,” Golchin’s father said. “They were for the people in our church.”
Ali Golchin is among a number of other Christians from the cities of Tehran, Isfahan, and Kermanshah who have been arrested and released without specific charges against them. The Voice of the Martyrs stands with these courageous believers who continue to serve Christ in the face of government harassment. Pray that believers in Iran will remain faithful and that their testimonies will draw non-believers into fellowship with Christ.
Posted: August 3, 2010
