The International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) and the Evangelical News Agency IDEA have named Iranian Christian Mehran Shamloui their “Prisoner of the Month for February 2026.” The former Muslim converted to Christianity and joined a house church. The 37-year-old was arrested on July 3, 2025, after fleeing to Turkey, being apprehended there, and deported back to his native Iran.

The reason for his escape was a draconian sentence handed down in Iran in March 2025 against him and two other Christians because of their church affiliation: he was sentenced to eight years in prison for “propaganda against Islamic law” and another two years and eight months for membership in an “opposition group.” Shamloui has been imprisoned in the notorious Evin Prison since August 2025, while his two co-defendants remain in hiding abroad.

The ISHR and IDEA are calling for letters to be sent to Iranian President Massoud Peseshkian requesting the immediate release of the Christian man. The Islamic Republic of Iran has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which also guarantees freedom of religion.

Sample letter

His Excellency
President Massud Peseschkian
c/o Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Podbielskiallee 65-67

14195 Berlin

Dear Mr. President,

Iranian citizen Mehran Shamloui exercised his right to freely choose his religion. The Christian was arrested on July 3, 2025, and transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran in August.

In March 2025, a court sentenced him to ten years and eight months in prison for joining a Christian community to live according to his religious beliefs. The harsh sentence was upheld by an appeals court in April 2025.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which is legally binding under international law. Article 18 of this document guarantees everyone the right to change their religion and to proselytize. Therefore, I urge you to advocate for the immediate and unconditional release of the prisoner of faith.

Respectfully