Aida Najaflou's spinal fracture and the therapeutic silence in Evin Prison

The spinal fracture of Christian citizen Aida Najaflou demonstrates the dire situation of religious prisoners and the lack of medical attention in Iranian prisons.

Aida Najaflou, a Christian citizen imprisoned in the women's ward of Evin Prison, fell from her bed on Sunday morning, November 2, and as a result of the incident, her T12 vertebra was fractured. According to published reports, after the fall, she was initially taken to Taleghani Hospital and underwent imaging, but despite being diagnosed with a fracture, she was returned to prison without receiving proper treatment.

After protests from other political and ideological prisoners, Evin Prison officials transferred him to Tajrish Martyrs Hospital, where doctors there recommended immediate surgery and a long-term treatment period with specialized care and physiotherapy was planned for him.

Najaflou has been held in Evin Prison since April 14, 1404. Previously, due to rheumatism and difficulty using a bunk bed, he had requested to be transferred to a lower bed, but his request remained unanswered.

Reports indicate that Ms. Najaflou was recovering from a major surgery at the time of her arrest, but the judicial officers and relevant judges refused to transfer her to the hospital and receive medical services.

Also, a bail of 11 billion Tomans was set for his temporary release, which his family could not afford to pay, and this has been cited as the main reason for his continued detention.

The fractured vertebrae and accelerated injury from falling from a bed, coupled with the denial of appropriate treatment, are a clear example of the critical situation of prisoners imprisoned for their religious beliefs in Iran. The request to be transferred to a lower bed due to rheumatism and the neglect of it, represent a combination of injustice and medical negligence.

Also, the very high bail (11 billion Tomans) and the family's inability to provide it are symbols of the use of the judicial process and temporary detention to pressure religious citizens.

This case can be understood in the broader context of the repression of Christian minorities in Iran. Reports indicate that detention, trial on security charges, and medical deprivation are part of the policy of Iranian judicial and security institutions against citizens who have converted to or are active in Christianity.

From an international perspective, these cases have been raised as violations of the right to freedom of religion and belief, as well as the right to access appropriate medical treatment, and human rights institutions have called on Iran to review the detention process and medical treatment of religious minority prisoners.