Christian convert Ebrahim Firouzi, who was imprisoned and then exiled for his house-church activities, has been found dead at the age of 37. His family told mourners at his burial on Thursday 22 February that Ebrahim had died of a heart attack two days previously – his brother reportedly went to his flat, having not heard from him for a few days, and discovered his body.
Ebrahim spent over six years in prison on charges relating to his house-church activities. After he finished serving his sentence in 2019 and was released from prison he had to serve a further sentence of two years in internal exile in the remote Sistan and Baluchestan province near the border with Pakistan, 1,600 km from his home near Tehran.
Paying tribute to Ebrahim, Article 18 Director Mansour Borji said: “Ebrahim’s untimely death is devastating. We have followed his case since he was arrested by the Iranian regime for going to a house church and for being in possession of Bibles.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran had sentenced Ebrahim for ‘acting against national security’, but nothing could have been further from the truth. The freedom for everyone to have access to and possess a Bible was central to Ebrahim’s life and ministry. It was the reason he was initially arrested and served almost seven years in prison. Even during imprisonment, he found creative ways to make that available to everyone when he became responsible for the prison library. During his two years in exile, and up to the last days of his life on Earth, this passion did not leave him.
“When Ebrahim was exiled he became a respected member of his new community. He was starting a business and looking forward to having a relationship. He helped local schools, financing toilets and sanitation projects. He bought shoes, bags, and stationery for the young children in the area. He was hopeful for the future, and he created hope for the community he was living in.
“Ebrahim did not lose hope even during all those years in prison. He had an incredible fighting spirit.”
(Article 18)
Photo: Article 18