The challenges faced by religious minorities in Iran are back in the spotlight following the sentencing of a Christian convert. Ghazal Marzban, who embraced Catholicism, now faces nearly a decade behind bars after her home was searched and Christian texts confiscated. These actions underscore the ongoing tensions between religious practices and state policies in the country.
According to Article18, a U.K.-based watchdog on religious freedom in Iran, Marzban was convicted on charges that include propaganda against the state and national security violations. The ruling came from Revolutionary Court Judge Iman Afshari, recently sanctioned by the European Union for his severe punishments against political prisoners, including Christians.
Marzban’s January arrest at her Tehran residence led to her Bible and other religious materials being confiscated. She was subsequently taken to an undisclosed location, leaving her family without contact for a month. She managed to call her husband from a Ministry of Intelligence detention center two hours post-arrest but remained unreachable afterward.
During her interrogation, authorities pressed Marzban to admit to using her Christian literature for evangelism, a claim she refuted, asserting her right to possess such materials as a Christian for personal use.
Marzban’s past includes a two-month imprisonment in 2024 for alleged propaganda against the regime, following her participation in protests against harassment after her conversion seven years prior. As an Islamic law graduate, her conversion led to a ban on taking the bar exam and pressure to leave the country.
Her husband, also a convert, has faced challenges obtaining crucial medication for Parkinson’s disease, a situation further complicated by Marzban’s imprisonment. Mansour Borji, Article18’s executive director, criticized the sentence as a punishment affecting both spouses due to her husband’s medical needs.
Marzban’s case is part of a broader pattern of religious repression in Iran, where Christian converts often face severe penalties. A recent crackdown on anti-government protests resulted in numerous deaths, including at least 22 Christians, highlighting the volatile environment for religious minorities.
Last December, five Iranian Christians were sentenced to a total of 50 years in prison for participating in religious activities like prayer gatherings and Bible distribution, as per new penal code amendments. Judge Abolqasem Salavati, known for harsh rulings, handed down these sentences, with one woman receiving additional time for social media activities.
The Iranian authorities have consistently linked religious gatherings to national security threats. Confiscated Christian texts during legal proceedings were sent to the Ministry of Intelligence for investigation.
Iran has witnessed widespread protests since December 2025, triggered by economic grievances and dissatisfaction with the leadership. The unrest spread across over 100 cities, resulting in thousands of deaths, a figure contested by different sources.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
