Ghazal Marzban, a Christian convert and legal professional, has been detained for over 40 days in Evin Prison in Tehran without being formally charged.
Arrest and Detention
According to reports, Ghazal Marzban, 41, was arrested on November 5, 2024, near Vali-Asr Square, a prominent location in central Tehran. She was reportedly taken into custody by Iranian security forces after loudly protesting the regime’s oppression and economic injustices. Witnesses stated that she addressed Pope Francis during her protest, pleading for his support for the Iranian people and condemning the regime’s actions.
Two days after her arrest, on November 7, 2024, Ms. Marzban was transferred from the Vozara detention center to the women’s ward of Evin Prison, where she remains in custody.
Trial Without Verdict
Ghazal Marzban recently appeared before Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court. However, despite the hearing, no verdict has been issued, leaving her future uncertain.
A source close to Marzban’s family emphasized that her detention is not linked to her conversion to Catholicism but solely to her protest. Her criticism of the Iranian regime and her public call for international support appear to be the main reasons behind her arrest.
Background
Ghazal Marzban, originally from Lasht-e-Nesha, a small town near Rasht in northern Iran, is a law graduate who now resides in Tehran. She converted to Catholic Christianity, a rare and risky decision in Iran, where religious minorities, especially converts, often face persecution.
Marzban’s detention underscores the broader suppression of free speech and religious freedom under the Iranian regime. Her ongoing imprisonment without charges or a clear resolution reflects the arbitrary nature of the legal system, which is frequently used to silence dissent.
