Laleh Saati, a Christian convert, sentenced to two years in prison

Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Laleh Saati, a Christian convert imprisoned in Evin, to two years in prison and a ban on leaving the country. According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, the charge against this citizen, who was arrested on February 13 of this year, is 'acting against national security.' According to the Campaign for the Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners, part of the charges attributed to this citizen is based on information found on her mobile phone, including a video of her baptism in Malaysia and her activities in the church. Laleh Saati had resided in Malaysia for a while and returned to Iran in 2017, over six years ago. According to this human rights organization, Laleh Saati's court session was held on March 16, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, while this Christian convert was deprived of the right to access a chosen lawyer. According to HRANA, this imprisoned Christian convert in Evin has developed severe depression and is not in a good mental state. The UN fact-finding committee announced on March 9 that 'human rights violations' in Iran particularly affect women, children, and ethnic and religious minorities. According to the organization Article 18, which is active in the field of Christian rights, the number of detained Christians in Iran in 2023 has increased from 134 to 166 compared to the previous year. According to this non-profit organization, 22 Christians residing in Iran in 2023 faced judicial sentences for charges such as 'propaganda against the regime' and 'acting against national security,' with 21 of them being imprisoned. Article 18 added that despite the recognition of three religious minorities (Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians) in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Christian converts are not recognized and are deprived of many civil rights in Iran. The Semnan Revolutionary Court sentenced a Baha'i citizen to imprisonment and 'participation in a cult therapy class.' The UN fact-finding committee described discrimination against women in Iran as a violation of human rights and a crime against humanity. Ibrahim Firoozi, a Christian convert and former political prisoner, died 'due to a heart attack.' Four human rights organizations stated that the repression, detention, and persecution of Christians in Iran continues.