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 is said to be in a deteriorating physical condition.

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”.

The Catholic convert’s rearrest came days after the massacre of thousands of protesters, including at least 22 Christians.

Ghazal 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 endured since converting to Catholicism seven years prior.

After converting, the Islamic law graduate was prevented from taking the bar examination and told to leave Iran, while Ghazal’s spouse, a fellow convert, has been unable to access the medication required to manage Parkinson’s disease.

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