Arrest of ‘Ghazal Marzbān’, Voice of Silence in the Heart of Tehran
The arrest of ‘Ghazal Marzbān’, a Christian citizen, reflects an escalation of pressure on religious activists through detention and judicial sentences against these citizens.
According to multiple human rights sources, ‘Ghazal Marzbān’, a 41-year-old Christian citizen residing in Tehran, has been detained again by the security forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This action took place in the middle of the night on Wednesday, December 25, 1404 (in the Islamic calendar), and after security agents raided her home, she was transferred to one of the detention facilities affiliated with the Ministry of Intelligence. To date, no clear information has been released about her current status or exact location of detention, and this ambiguity has caused serious concern among her family and loved ones.
Reports indicate that Ghazal previously had a history of detention, conviction, and imprisonment in Evin Prison. According to court information, she was convicted of charges of “propaganda activity against the regime” and “failure to observe mandatory hijab in public” and received a sentence of six months imprisonment and 74 lashes for these charges. Part of this sentence was executed and the remainder was suspended. The sentence also included a ban on the use of smartphones for a specified period.
In one of the protest gatherings that led to her arrest, sources close to the family stated that Marzbān, in response to the difficult situation of the Iranian people and pointing to hardships, addressed Pope Francis with the cry “poverty and oppression in Iran” and asked him to support the Iranian people. These statements likely played a role in intensifying pressure against her.
Human rights advocates and independent organizations have reported that the wave of arrests of civil activists, protesters, and especially Christian citizens has increased in Iran. Many individuals have faced long-term sentences, lashing punishments, and social restrictions solely because of their religious beliefs or participation in peaceful gatherings. Multiple examples of this kind include long prison sentences for Christians in Tabriz and Isfahan, and pressure on individuals who are active in advocating for religious rights or freedom of expression.
For example, in recent years, several other Christian citizens have been sentenced to long imprisonments and severe punishments, including two Christians in Tabriz who received a combined 24 years of imprisonment and civil restrictions, and two brothers in Isfahan, each sentenced to four years in prison.
These events are occurring while the international community and groups defending religious freedoms have repeatedly warned about pressure on religious minorities in Iran. Torture, deprivation of medical care, decrees, and judicial pressures against individuals who openly express their beliefs are a major part of the current challenges that target not only religious freedom but fundamental human rights.
