Christian convert Amin Afshar-Naderi was today released on bail from Tehran’s Evin Prison until the conclusion of his appeal.

Amin, who was recently sentenced to 15 years in prison, had been in detention since his arrest 11 months ago.

He was finally released after undergoing a three-week hunger strike to complain against the harsh ruling and high bail demands.

At the onset of his hunger strike 21 days ago, Amin said he would not eat again until he had received a fair trial and his bail had been reduced.

Earlier this month, Amin was sentenced to 10 years in prison for “action against national security by organising and conducting house-churches”, and an additional five years in prison for “insulting the sacred” (blasphemy). He was also given a two-year travel ban.

Amin was first arrested at a Christmas celebration in 2014, alongside his pastor, Victor Bet-Tamraz, and another Christian convert, Kavian Fallah-Mohammadi.

Amin was re-arrested in August 2016 during a raid on a private garden in Firoozkooh, east of Tehran, after which he and four other Christians were taken to Evin Prison’s Ward 209.

Three of the Christians were released on bail in October and November, but Amin and another convert, Hadi Asgari, remained in detention, spending three months in solitary confinement in Ward 209, before being transferred to Ward 4.

A court hearing took place on 8 April, combining Amin and Hadi’s cases with those of Kavian Fallah-Mohammadi and pastor Victor Bet-Tamraz.

Hadi, Kavian and Victor were sentenced to 10 years in prison, and Amin to 15 – sentences communicated to them verbally earlier this month.

Hadi remains in prison, while the others have been freed on bail until the conclusion of their appeals.