A Catholic convert arrested after protesting against her mistreatment by the Iranian authorities has been released after two months in Evin Prison, but faces a further four months behind bars and 74 lashes if any further “offence” is committed within the next five years.

Ghazal Marzban, 41, was arrested on 5 November after protesting against the harassment she has endured since converting to Catholicism seven years ago.

Article18 understands that after her conversion, the Islamic law graduate was prevented from taking her bar examination and pressured to leave the country, while her husband, a fellow convert, has been unable to access the medication he requires for his Parkinson’s disease.

Ghazal was arrested by officers of the Law Enforcement Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran, or FARAJA, and taken to the Vozara detention centre in Tehran – where she sustained a rib injury while seeking to protect another inmate – before being transferred to Evin.

A recent BBC report showcased the dire situation for female prisoners in Evin, including reports of torture, threats, and long periods of solitary confinement.

Ghazal underwent a five-day hunger strike during her time in Evin in further protest at her arrest and the lack of movement in her case. 

On 10 December, Ghazal was charged by the notorious judge of Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, Iman Afshari, with “being in public places and public view without a religious hijab” and “propaganda against the regime by chanting slogans”.

On 30 December, she was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and 74 lashes for the “propaganda” charge; the charge relating to the hijab was dropped.

Ghazal was released on Saturday, 4 January, having completed one-third of her sentence. The remainder of her custodial sentence, and the lashes, will be enforced should she “reoffend”.