A Christian convert recently sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison on charges including “propaganda against the state” and “gathering and collusion against national security” has reportedly gone on hunger strike in Evin Prison in protest against the sentence.

Ghazal Marzban, who is a Catholic, has refused to eat since last Monday, 25 May, according to the Persian-language Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), and her physical condition has reportedly deteriorated.

Ghazal was re-arrested in January, having previously spent two months in Evin Prison in 2024 after being convicted of “propaganda against the regime by chanting slogans”.

Her rearrest came days after the massacre of thousands of protesters, including at least 22 Christians.

She was sentenced last month to nine years and eight months in prison by notorious Revolutionary Court judge Iman Afshari, who was recently sanctioned by the EU and has been behind the harsh sentencing of many political prisoners, including Christians.

Ghazal was first arrested in November 2024, after protesting against the harassment she had endured since converting to Catholicism seven years prior.

After her conversion, the Islamic law graduate was prevented from taking her bar examination and told she should leave Iran, while her husband, a fellow convert, has been unable to access the medication he requires to manage his Parkinson’s disease.

Article18’s executive director, Mansour Borji, said that due to her husband’s condition, Ghazal’s sentencing was in reality “a sentence for both of them”.