Ayda Najaflou, a Christian convert and prisoner of conscience held in Tehran’s Evin Prison, has reportedly been denied essential medical treatment after suffering a spinal fracture from a fall off a bunk bed.
Prison authorities returned her to the women’s ward without proper medical care, a move that starkly violates the Iranian regime’s international obligations regarding the humane treatment of detainees.
On Sunday, November 2, 2025, Ayda Najaflou fell from an upper bunk and fractured her T12 vertebra. She was initially transferred to Taleghani Hospital, where the fracture was confirmed, but was returned to prison without any treatment and while unable to move.
Following strong protests from fellow inmates, prison officials were compelled to send her back to Tajrish Martyrs Hospital; however, effective treatment continues to be delayed.
After reviewing MRI results, doctors at Tajrish Martyrs Hospital determined that immediate surgery and ongoing physiotherapy were critical to prevent paralysis.
Despite these medical warnings, Evin Prison authorities again refused her hospitalization and sent her back to the women’s ward.
Ayda Najaflou had previously requested a lower bunk due to rheumatism and chronic back pain, but her request was ignored, an act of negligence that ultimately led to her fall and severe injury.
Najaflou’s physical condition is now critical. Deprived of necessary medical care, she survives only with the assistance of fellow inmates and painkillers. Her family has repeatedly warned of the authorities’ deliberate neglect.
Returning a prisoner with a spinal fracture to her cell despite urgent need for surgery constitutes torture and inhuman treatment, exposing once again the appalling conditions in Evin Prison and the systematic denial of medical care to prisoners of conscience, particularly women.
Background
Arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents in February 2025, Ayda Najaflou was interrogated in Ward 209 of Evin Prison and has been held in the women’s ward since April 2025. She faces charges of “propaganda against the regime,” “assembly and collusion against national security,” and “establishing a house church.” She remains deprived of the right to freely access legal counsel and maintain regular contact with her family.
Although Christianity is officially recognized as a minority religion under the Constitution of the Iranian regime, Iranian security agencies treat the conversion of Muslims to Christianity with particular sensitivity and often respond with harsh and punitive measures.
This treatment stands in stark contrast to Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both of which affirm every individual’s right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion — including the freedom to change one’s religion or belief, and to manifest it either alone or in community with others, publicly or privately.