Christian Citizen ‘Mehran Shamlou’ Transferred to Tehran Prison
‘Mehran Shamlou,’ a Christian citizen, was transferred to Tehran Prison to serve his prison sentence.
Mehran Shamlou was arrested on November 1, 2024 by Ministry of Intelligence agents in Tehran for establishing a house church in the city and was transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. He was released from Evin Prison in December on bail, and his court hearing was held on February 14, 2025 at Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court.
Shamlou was convicted by the aforementioned branch on charges of “propaganda activities contrary to Islamic law” and “membership in opposition groups,” and sentenced to 10 years and 8 months imprisonment, a fine of 250 million tomans, and 11 years deprivation of social rights. This sentence was upheld in May 2025 by Branch 36 of Tehran’s Court of Appeals.
He had left Iran for Turkey three months prior and was arrested while attempting illegal exit through one of Turkey’s airports, subsequently transferred to a migrant camp. After spending time in the camp, Shamlou voluntarily returned to Iran.
Mehran Shamlou was arrested immediately upon entering Iran on July 3, 2025 at Mashhad Airport and transferred to a security detention facility in Mashhad. On Monday, July 7, 2025, he was transferred to Tehran’s major prison to serve his 10 years and 8 months sentence.
The issuance of the severe 10-year sentence, fines, and deprivation of social rights has drawn widespread reactions from human rights organizations and increased concerns about the situation of religious minorities in Iran.
