Mehdi Dibaj

Mehdi Dibaj (* 1935 ; † June or July 1994 ) was an Iranian who converted from Islam to Christianity and later became a pastor .

Dibaj converted to Christianity at a young age and joined the Jama'at-e Rabbani Church. After 1979 he came under increasing pressure from the Iranian regime. As a result, he was arrested and captured in 1983, although no sentence was passed against him. While in detention, he was systematically tortured by his prison guards. On December 3, 1983, he was the Islamic court for apostasy sentenced to death. During his trial, Dibaj shouted the following words in the courtroom: "I am not only satisfied to be in prison for the honor of His Holy Name, but am ready to give my life for the sake of Jesus my Lord."

Due to worldwide protests initiated by his friend, the Armenian Bishop Haik Hovsepian Mehr , Dibaj was released in 1994, although his death sentence was not overturned. Three days later, Haik Hovsepian Mehr was kidnapped and murdered. Dibaj was kidnapped on June 24, 1994, and his body was found on July 5 in western Tehran Park.

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personal data
SURNAME	Dibaj, Mehdi
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	Iranian pastor and martyr
DATE OF BIRTH	1935
DATE OF DEATH	June 1994 or July 1994