“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV.

Iranian Christian convert Laleh Saati was released on 31 May on the condition that she cannot travel for two years and that she must not speak to the media or any contacts abroad.

In February 2024, Laleh was arrested at her father’s home in Ekbatan Town, a Tehran suburb, and taken to Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

The prison is divided into wards, with this ward under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Intelligence. Laleh was interrogated there for three weeks.

A month later, Laleh was brought for trial at Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court before Iman Afshari, a judge known for his ruthlessness against those imprisoned because of politics and human rights activism, as well as those who are ethnic or religious minorities.

He found Laleh guilty of “acting against national security through connections with ‘Zionist Christian’ organisations”.

Laleh had sought asylum in Malaysia and while there, she renounced Islam and was baptized as a Christian. She eventually decided to return to Iran in 2017 to take care of her elderly parents, frustrated with the delays and lengthy processing time of her asylum case.

It was seven years after returning to Iran that Laleh was arrested and charged. Government prosecutors used photos and videos of her baptism and Christian activities in Malaysia as proof of her alleged crime.

In May 2024, Laleh’s mother visited her in prison and reported that her daughter was struggling with her mental health. As a result, Laleh was interrogated again and threatened with new court proceedings.

Her mother was also interrogated and warned that a case might be opened against her because Laleh’s case had been publicised to foreign media.

When Laleh had served one-third of her sentence and became eligible for parole, it was denied, reportedly because she refused to make a forced confession.

In April 2025, Laleh injured two fingers on her left hand after falling in the prison yard, but she was denied access to specialised medical care.

As her condition deteriorated, her mother continued to appeal for her to be transferred to a medical facility, but her requests were rejected until May, when she was released after serving 15 months of her sentence.

She has been traumatized by her experiences and remains in a “psychologically unstable state”.

The Iranian government views Christian converts as threats and actively works to suppress their activities.

House churches are often raided, and believers are frequently arrested, interrogated, and given long prison sentences on charges like “acting against national security”.

The Iranian authorities also monitor the activities of asylum seekers in foreign countries and obtain information to use against them.

Laleh’s case demonstrates that Christian activities carried out by asylum seekers abroad can be used as evidence against them in legal proceedings upon their return to Iran.

Despite the risks, Iranian Christians are courageously sharing the gospel and many are coming to Christ.

Home Group Prayer:

Dear LORD,

We pray that you will strengthen, restore and heal Laleh Saati after the trauma of the prison experience she has endured. Keep her strong in her faith and safe from further persecution.

Please also strengthen Laleh’s aging parents, that they too might sense your comforting presence and come to be in relationship with you.

We pray for the safety of secret churches, the courage of believers, the well-being of imprisoned Christians and their families, and the spread of the gospel in Iran.

At this time of international conflict, we also pray that you will protect all your followers in Iran from any harm.

We ask all this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Materials used by kind permission of the original author.

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