Pastor Vahik Abrahamian, a 45-year-old Armenian Christian, was released from prison during the morning of Monday, August 29, 2011, after suffering greatly behind bars for a year, and has now rejoined his family.

Pastor Vahik Abrahamian pictured with his wife Sonia before they were arrested

According to the Farsi Christian News Network (www.fcnn.com), Pastor Abrahamian was arrested by security agents, together with his wife Sonia Keshish Avanessian, on Saturday September 4, 2010, in his home in Hamedan, which is believed to be among the oldest Iranian cities and one of the most ancient in the world.

Pastor Vahik and his wife, together with family friends, Arash and Arezou, were all held for 44 days in solitary confinement in the Iranian Ministry of Information’s detention center.

“In this period all were subjected to intensive interrogation and severe mental and psychological torture without any permission to contact family or friends,” a spokesperson for FCCN told the ASSIST News Service (www.assistnews.net).

“They were then moved to the Hamedan prison’s general ward and after eight months of ordeal they were proven not guilty in a court hearing and subsequently Sonia, Arash and Arezou were released on April 30, 2010, but Pastor Vahik was held back until now.”

During his one year imprisonment, FCNN obtained reports of Pastor Abrahamian’s poor health and also about the prison’s “deplorable hygiene conditions which made family, friends and entire Christian community extremely concerned.”

The FCCN spokesperson went on to say, “This anxiety was heightened upon the release of the three other prisoners. The Christian community worldwide, particularly the Iranian Christian community has been faithfully holding Pastor Vahik in prayers. The news of worldwide prayer was a cause of comfort and strength and encouragement for the immediate family in Iran and overseas.

“It is noteworthy to note that despite his obtaining citizenship in the Netherlands and the possibility of leading a comfortable life there, Pastor Vahik Abrahamian opted to return to his beloved country and he and his wife Sonia dedicated their efforts and meager resources to reach out and assist drug addicts and all sorts of abused people in the society.

“Vahik, having been miraculously touched by Christ his Lord and Savior, considered of utmost priority and privilege to reach out to the outcasts and down-casts of the society.

“It is ironic that the authorities, despite witnessing the pure motives, selfless attitude and indeed the wonderful result of Vahik and Sonia’s sacrificial efforts, instead of offering support and assistance arrested him on February 2010 and held him on trumped-up charges in the infamous Evin prison for 53 days in solitary confinement and 5 days in the general ward.

“He was released after his family and friends posted a cash bail of 10 million Toomans pending his trial,” added the FCCN spokesperson. “Vahik and Sonia had already moved out to Hamedan to live peacefully and serve the community away from the clutter of the capital and were indeed in their own home with one other couple when they were suddenly arrested.”

An extended member of Vahik and Sonia Abrahamian’s family has told FCNN that the whole family is “rejoicing” and “expressed their gratitude first to God for His gracious protection and intervention and secondly to the Christian family worldwide who have not ceased praying and advocating on their behalf.”

“FCNN would like to add its thankfulness to all who have been raising awareness and prayers in churches and writing notes and letters of encouragement and support,” stated the spokesperson. “Let’s pray for other Christians still held in captivity particularly for Farshid Fathi who has been held in Evin prison for over six months.

“Vahik and Sonia have refrained speaking with anyone outside immediate family hence it has not been possible to ascertain his physical and emotional wellbeing.

“FCNN would like to ask all to pray for Vahik and Sonia’s and Arash and Arezou’s physical and emotional healing,” concluded the spokesperson.