Ramiel Bet Tamraz, son of Pastor Victor Bet Tamraz and Shamiram Isavi Khabizeh, has been sentenced to four months' imprisonment for "acting against national security" by joining house churches. There is likely to be an appeal, with Ramiel's lawyer asking for the sentence to be reduced or cancelled. On 26 August 2016 Ramiel, a Christian from an ethnic Assyrian background, was arrested with four Christian convert friends as security officials from the Ministry of Intelligence and Security raided their picnic. They were detained in Evin Prison, Tehran, where all five men endured long periods of solitary confinement and intense interrogation. All were eventually released on bail and have since received prison sentences of varying terms.  Please pray that Ramiel, his family, and friends, would know the presence of God at this time, and the Lord would strengthen and protect them, regardless of the appeal outcome. (Source: Middle East Concern)