Christian Citizen Laleh Saati Released on Conditional Bail After 15 Months of Imprisonment
Laleh Saati, a Christian citizen, was conditionally released from Evin Prison after enduring 15 months of detention.
Laleh Saati was arrested on February 13, 2024 by security forces who raided her father’s home in Tehran and was transferred to Ward 209 of the Ministry of Intelligence detention center. After undergoing lengthy interrogation in Ward 209, she was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.
Ms. Saati was sentenced on March 17, 2024 by Judge Iman Afshari, head of Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, to two years of imprisonment and a two-year travel ban from the country on the charge of “action against national security through contact with Zionist Christian organizations.”
The charges against her were based on her religious activities and attendance at house churches after her return to Iran, as well as the existence of a baptism video and images of her religious activities in Malaysia. It should be noted that throughout the interrogation and detention process, she was denied the right to choose her own lawyer and was represented by an appointed lawyer in court.
In addition to being denied the right to choose her own lawyer, she was also denied specialized medical examination, which raised concerns about her physical and mental health.
According to reports released, Laleh Saati was conditionally released from Evin Prison on Saturday, May 31, 2025, after enduring 15 months of imprisonment, on condition that she makes no contact with any media or individuals outside the country.
According to the Iran Human Rights website, after her conditional release, Laleh Saati was informed of the enforcement of her two-year travel ban from the country.
