The International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) and the Protestant news agency IDEA named the Iranian Christian Laleh Saati “Prisoner of the Month for February”. On 13 February 2024, Ms. Saati was taken into custody at her father’s home and transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran, where she underwent a three-week interrogation. Ms. Saati had previously renounced Islam during a period in Malaysia and had been baptised. Since 2017, she has been living in her Iranian homeland again.

Laleh Saati © private

On 25 March 2024, the Christian woman was sentenced to two years in prison by the 26th division of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran for alleged endangerment of national security and ties to a “Zionist Christian organisation”.In addition, a ban on leaving the country was imposed for two years after release from prison. Reports suggest that the 46-year-old is suffering from mental health issues while in custody.

On 28 September 2024, it was revealed that her application for bail had been rejected by the relevant court. In a letter to the President of Iran, Massoud Peseshkian, ISHR and IDEA have called for Saati’s unconditional release.

Sample letter

His Excellency
President Massud Peseschkian
c/o Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Podbielskiallee 65-67
14195 Berlin

Dear Mr President,

We are writing to express our concern regarding the case of Laleh Saati, an Iranian citizen who has reportedly been detained for her religious beliefs. On 13 February 2024, Ms Saati was arrested and taken to Evin Prison in Tehran. Ms Saati is accused of endangering national security and of having links to a “Zionist Christian organisation” for having chosen to follow Christianity. The 26th division of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran sentenced her to two years in prison on 25 March 2024. The Islamic Republic of Iran has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in a binding manner under international law. Article 18 of this document guarantees every person the right to change his or her faith and to promote it. I therefore respectfully appeal to you to work for the immediate and unconditional release of the prisoners of faith.

Yours faithfully

Report: Drastic Increase in Persecution of Converts in Iran

It is with a heavy heart that we must report a worrying increase in the persecution of converts through imprisonment in 2024. According to a human rights report entitled “The Tip of the Iceberg”, 96 Christians were sentenced to a total of 263 years in prison in the period from January to December of last year; in 2023, 22 Iranians of the Christian faith were subject to such arbitrary sentences. On several occasions, the judges imposed draconian sentences of ten to 15 years in prison. The authors of the report, in which several Christian organisations participated, assume that this number includes only a fraction of those affected. For fear of further reprisals, many persecuted people avoid disclosing the reason for their legal proceedings. The state is exerting massive pressure on the New Christians to renounce their faith. The report also highlights that Bibles are often seen as contraband and are used as evidence in court cases. It is concerning that even everyday religious practices can be viewed as a criminal act by the authorities of the mullah dictatorship. The situation for Christians in Iran is a complex one, and it appears that the radical Islamic state is extending its reach beyond recognised, non-proselytising Christian communities. There have been reports of arrests, interrogations, seizures and financial surveillance, as these communities are under constant suspicion of receiving unauthorised support from abroad. It is important to note that, should they be found guilty of this offense, those affected could face a maximum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment.