Christian convert Aida Najaflou (43) was arrested over three months ago but remains in Evin Prison because she is unable to afford the extremely high bail set for her.

Security forces arrested Aida at her parents’ home in Tehran on 6 February and took her to Evin Prison’s Ward 209, which is controlled by the Ministry of Intelligence.

On 13 April, after weeks of interrogations, she was transferred to the women’s ward of the prison, where she remains because her family cannot afford the bail set for her, equivalent to around €115,000. She is facing charges of “acting against national security” and “propaganda against the regime”.

A source close to Aida’s family told Human Rights Activists News Agency: “Before her arrest, she underwent spinal disc surgery and suffers from ongoing spinal problems that require continuous medical attention. The lack of proper care in prison has worsened her condition.”

Aida has two sons aged 10 and 13, the elder of whom suffers with arthritis and recently underwent serious spinal surgery. He is reported to be especially struggling with his mother’s absence.

Aida was previously arrested in January 2022 and charged under Article 500 of the penal code, which criminalises “deviant propaganda contrary to the sacred Islamic faith”, but she was reportedly acquitted later that year.

(Article 18, Human Rights Activists in Iran News Agency)

Photo: Article 18