Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court has sentenced Ayda Najaflou, an imprisoned Christian convert and prisoner of conscience, to a total of 17 years in prison on three national security-related charges. Her convictions include terms of 10-, 5-, and 2-years’ imprisonment. Under Iran’s sentence-aggregation rules, she will be required to serve the 10-year term as the most severe portion of the combined sentence.
Presently, Ayda Najaflou’s health is in critical condition, facing a serious risk of spinal cord injury that could be life-threatening. Her health deteriorated significantly following a fall from a bunk bed and subsequent spinal surgery.
According to Article 18, Ayda Najaflou and four other Christian converts — Lida Aleksani, Joseph Shahbazian, Naser Navard Gol-Tapeh, and another individual whose name has not been disclosed — have collectively received 55 years in prison.
The charges against the group stem from allegations of establishing a house church in Tehran and participating in Christian religious activities, actions that Iranian authorities routinely frame as threats to national security.
Background on Ayda Najaflou
Ayda Najaflou was arrested in February 2025 by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence, interrogated in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, and held in the women’s ward since April 2025. She faces charges of “propaganda against the state,” “assembly and collusion against national security,” and “establishing a house church.” She remains deprived of the right to free access to legal counsel and 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.