Iranian Christian convert Amir-Ali Minaei (32) was released from Evin Prison on 29 April after two years in detention on a charge of “propaganda activities against the regime through establishing a house-church”.

He had been serving a prison sentence of three years and seven months (later reduced to two years and six months because he did not appeal) since 29 April 2024, and was released as part of an annual amnesty of prisoners.

Amir-Ali has a heart condition and repeatedly requested a referral to a cardiologist, but every request was denied and following a request in March 2025 he was beaten by a prison officer who struck him in the chest, worsening his condition.

Background

Amir-Ali was arrested in December 2022 in Tehran and was detained for over two months in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is under the control of the Ministry of Intelligence. He was then released on bail equivalent to around €8,550 following a series of intensive interrogations.

Amir-Ali’s heart condition was diagnosed between his release on bail and his sentencing, and is understood to have been caused by the stress he was under in detention and the threat of further imprisonment.

In March 2024 he was sentenced by judge Iman Afshari (who is notorious for imposing harsh sentences on Christians) at the 26th Branch of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran to three years and seven months in prison and deprivation of social rights – such as membership of any organisation – following his imprisonment. He began serving his sentence the next month.

In January 2025 Amir-Ali applied for conditional release, but Ministry of Intelligence agents blocked his request due to his perceived lack of “cooperation” with them.

Article18’s Mansour Borji explained, “Detainees are often compelled to accept extrajudicial conditions as a prerequisite for receiving benefits such as temporary furlough, pardon, or early release. Authorities and interrogators seek to leverage these individuals as informants, or ‘collaborators’, requiring them to resume their daily lives while covertly gathering intelligence on other Christians and their activities. This practice constitutes a form of coercion, further infringing upon the detainees’ rights and subjecting them to ongoing surveillance and undue pressure.”

On 12 April 2025 Amir-Ali went on hunger strike to protest being denied access to a telephone and medical treatment after fracturing a bone in his right foot. He ended it two days later after receiving reassurances, and was subsequently granted limited use of a phone and medical care for his fracture.

On 23 June 2025 prisoners from Evin Prison were transferred to other facilities in the Tehran region after the gates were struck by a missile during the twelve-day conflict with Israel. Amir-Ali was understood to be transferred to Greater Tehran Penitentiary, where there were reports of overcrowding and unsanitary conditions. Prisoners were transferred back to Evin Prison in August.

(Article 18)

Photo: Article 18