Christian Citizen Laleh Saeedi Denied Access to Medical Services

Laleh Saeedi, a Christian citizen imprisoned in Evin Prison, has been denied access to medical services.

Laleh Saeedi, a Christian citizen, was arrested in Bahman 1402 (January-February 2024) by security forces who raided her father’s home in Tehran. She was held in Ward 209 of the Ministry of Intelligence for prolonged interrogation before being transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

In Esfand 1402 (February-March 2024), she was convicted by Iman Afshari, head of Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, on charges of “actions against national security through contact with Zionist Christian organizations” and sentenced to two years imprisonment and two years travel ban. The charges against her stem from the existence of a baptism video and her religious activities in Malaysia, as well as her participation in house churches after returning to Iran.

In addition to being denied the right to choose her own lawyer and being represented by an appointed lawyer in court, she is also denied healthcare and medical services in prison. Reports released in recent months regarding her condition in prison have raised concerns among her family and human rights activists about her health status and lack of access to medical services.

Reports have been published on social media by sources familiar with Laleh Saeedi today, indicating her deprivation of access to specialized medical services and medical leave. Laleh Saeedi fell in the prison yard, resulting in deformity of two small fingers on her left hand. However, since she is denied access to medical services, she now lives in a concerning physical condition.

The Iran Human Rights website also announced while publishing this news: “Requests by Laleh Saeedi’s mother to send her to the hospital have been met with opposition from the security officer handling her case, and obstruction of her treatment continues.”

Laleh Saeedi is not the only Christian citizen currently imprisoned and deprived of the right to have a lawyer and medical care. Many citizens from the Christian community and other minorities are enduring similar conditions to Laleh’s, and in some cases even worse. After release, these individuals are also deprived of social rights and in many cases must endure exile penalties and monetary fines. Furthermore, in some instances, their assets are even confiscated by the state.