Iranian Pastor's Six-Year Sentence Upheld

Iran's Revolutionary Court recently upheld imprisoned pastor Farshid Fathi's six-year sentence for "political offenses," forcing him to complete a prison term that began more than 18 months ago, Voice of the Martyrs reports. Farshid was arrested in December 2010 for his Christian work, but authorities continue to cast his activities as political offenses. He was convicted for allegedly being the chief agent of a foreign organization in Iran and for administering funds for foreign organizations, charges often used to arrest and convict Christians. According to Elam Ministries, Farshid has become much beloved among inmates in Tehran's notorious Evin Prison. His trial had been repeatedly postponed by judicial authorities until earlier this year, and even though his wife, Leila, relinquished the deed to their home to pay his bill, he was never released. Farshid and Leila have two children.