Christian convert Aida is serving a 17-year prison sentence on charges related to ordinary religious activities such as praying, performing baptisms, taking Communion and celebrating Christmas.
Aida has been detained since February 2025, having been unable to afford the bail set for her, equivalent to $130,000.
She was sentenced in October 2025 alongside two other Christian converts and two Iranian-Armenian Christians.
In total, the Christians were sentenced to over 50 years in prison.
Aida received a 10-year sentence under the amended Article 500 of the penal code, which criminalises “propaganda contrary to the holy religion of Islam”, five years for “gathering and collusion”, and two years for allegedly criticising Iran’s Supreme Leader on social media.
On top of the prison sentences, the Christians’ personal property, including Bibles and other Christian literature, was confiscated by the state for the “research” purposes of the Ministry of Intelligence.
Aida, who suffers with rheumatoid arthritis, fractured her spine 10 days after the final court hearing after falling out of her Evin Prison bunk bed.
She was later re-admitted to hospital after a wound created by her spinal surgery became infected in prison.
Her lawyer later said she fears her client may be at risk of paralysis if her condition is not managed properly.
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