Alireza Asadbaki

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Alireza Asadbaki, born in 1981, fled from Iran due to government persecution related to his human rights activities. In 2015, he sought asylum at the UNHCR office in Ankara, Turkey, and has been waiting for a response ever since. During his time in Turkey, he connected with the Iranian Christian community and developed a keen interest in Christianity. Finding friendship and support, he began attending a Persian-speaking church. Eventually, he embraced Jesus and became an active member of the community.

However, in 2018, Turkish officials rejected his case and issued a deportation order, leaving him living in constant fear and hiding from law enforcement. His involvement with Persian-speaking Christian ministries has become extremely limited, as he rarely ventures outside his home and avoids attending public events. Despite these challenges, Alireza continues to work remotely using his computer and cell phone. He participates in meetings and creates podcasts for various Persian Christian programs, striving to stay connected with his fellow believers. However, his situation remains highly risky.

Alireza shares his apprehensions, stating, "I seldom leave my home, and if I do, I always return before sunset due to the increased police presence. I avoid answering the door unless I am expecting someone, constantly fearing that officials will raid my home, arrest me, and send me back to Iran. It has become a recurring nightmare for me in recent years when I go to sleep."

The predicament for Alireza is that he cannot return to Iran, where imprisonment and severe persecution awaits him. He also cannot remain in Turkey, as the government wants him to leave. Moreover, UNHCR has not made progress on his case for several years. 

in 2023 Asylum in Christ Association in partnership with Vineyard Church of Halifax sponsored Alireza to come to Canada and his file is in process with Canadian Immigration.

In the summer of 2023, Alireza received his G-number, meaning his sponsorship process officially began with IRCC. Since then, he has been waiting for an interview with the Canadian Embassy so his case can move forward. His wait has been unusually long and very difficult.

In Turkey, Alireza’s life remains unsafe and uncertain. Because of a deportation order from the immigration office and court, he must live in hiding. Returning to Iran is impossible due to the danger he would face there.

On October 3rd, 2024, around 11:00 p.m., Turkish Immigration Police raided Alireza’s home and arrested him. He is now detained in a refugee removal camp in Kocaeli (İzmit). He is only allowed a short five-minute phone call each day inside Turkey. Authorities did not permit him to take anything from outside, and he must buy all essentials—clothes, blankets, and other needs—inside the camp, where prices are often ten times higher than normal.

Alireza urgently needs ongoing financial and emotional support. We are praying and waiting for the Embassy of Canada to intervene and stop his deportation to Iran.

In June 2013, Saeid was accused of "spreading lies and insulting Islam and the Prophet Muhammad" by the Iranian Regime. Fearing detention and torture by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Muslim far-right community, they fled their homeland and took refuge in Turkey. 

Their case was accepted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Turkey in 2014, and it remains open and active to this day. 

In 2016, Leila was diagnosed with Rheumatism and was completely debilitated. They found Jesus, and he healed her. Since then, they have given their hearts to Jesus and serve God in the Vineyard Columbus Church. 

Despite having UN acceptance and international protection, the Turkish immigration office confiscated all their identification documents on March 3, 2022. Since then, they are denied the right to work, study, or access healthcare services. 

On March 18, 2022, they were arrested for deportation to Iran and spent 68 days in Kayseri Detention Center. They were harassed by the officers while in the worst mental and psychological conditions. After 68 days, with the help of fellow Iranians and human rights activists, they were temporarily released. However, Leila and Bahareh suffered severe psychological and physical problems and traumas. The fear of the Turkish police breaking into their house and deporting them to Iran, where they face persecution for blasphemy is hovering daily over their life. 

in 2023 Asylum in Christ Association in partnership with Halifax Christian Church, Real Life Community Church and Vineyard Church of Halifax sponsored Saeid, Laila and their daughter Bahareh to come to Canada and their file is in process with Canadian Immigration.

  Masoumeh's life in Iran was marked by hardships after a painful divorce caused by her husband's addiction. Financial struggles and societal exploitation added to her difficulties while trying to make a living.
Secretly reading the Bible, she embraced Christ in 2012 despite the opposition from her family, especially her hostile son-in-law. Engaging in various forms of service, she, her daughters, and her son-in-law all became believers and served together in the church.
However, her family's hostility escalated, leading to harassment and threats to renounce Christianity or face consequences. Her nephew, an informant for Iranian authorities, plotted to trap her during a Bible distribution event. Fearing for her safety and that of her fellow believers, Masoumeh escaped to Turkey, leaving everything behind, including her daughters.
In Turkey, she lived in fear and uncertainty for years, keeping her location hidden even from her family. With the support of her virtual church community, she found strength in her faith and the compassion of fellow believers.
The journey to freedom was challenging, but Masoumeh's determination and reliance on God's guidance kept her going. Even after many years, her family remained unaware of her whereabouts, but she continued to persevere, trusting in God's protection. 

in 2023 Asylum in Christ Association in partnership with Real life Community Church Vineyard Church of Halifax sponsored Masoumeh to come to Canada and her file is in process with Canadian Immigration 

Ehsan, his wife Zohreh and their two sons were in danger of deportation from Turkey back to Iran where they were wanted for running an underground church and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They have lost all their life savings and belongings because of it.

in 2021 Real Life Community Church and Asylum in Christ Association sponsored this family and they arrived to Canada in July 2022.