Jailed Iranian pastor Behnam Irani is "already facing death" after being denied proper medical care, which reportedly goes against what prison officials had promised.
An update on his condition was provided by Worthy News, who contacted Firouz Khandjani, a council member of the pastor's Church of Iran congregation. According to Khandjani, Pastor Irani was still suffering in jail, and his situation was getting worse.
Previous reports noted that Irani, who is in his 40s, had been severely beaten at Karaj's Ghezel Hesar Prison. He was arrested in 2011 allegedly for acting against the interests of national security, but several persecution watch groups have stated the real reason for his imprisonment is his preaching of the Gospel and leading people to Christ in Iran, a largely Muslim nation.
The pastor had been found several times unconscious in his prison cell when visited, raising fears for his well-being. A hospital examination had discovered that he was suffering from a bleeding ulcer, and officials had claimed that he would be provided with more care – but so far, that hasn't happened.