Imprisoned After Being Baptized Abroad — Now Laleh Is Free

Txt and photo: Article 18 

A Christian convert and former asylum seeker who was sentenced to two years in prison after returning to Iran has been released under strict conditions after spending more than 15 months in prison. 

Laleh Saati (46) was released from Evin Prison in Tehran on Saturday, 31 May, on the condition that she does not speak to the media or have any contact with people abroad, according to the Persian-language website Human Rights in Iran. 

Laleh has also reportedly been informed that her two-year travel ban, which was part of her sentence, now comes into effect. 

According to Human Rights in Iran, the Christian convert spent her final weeks in the notorious Ward 209 — a section controlled by the intelligence services. As a result, she is said to be in a "psychologically unstable state." 

Article18 reports that there have been concerns for Laleh’s mental health throughout her imprisonment, which began in February 2024, particularly after she was denied parole and medical treatment. 

Both she and her mother were also reportedly threatened with a new trial in the summer of 2024 due to the attention her case had received. 

Following the sentencing in March 2024, Article18 director Mansour Borji stated: “Laleh’s case clearly demonstrates that Christian activities carried out by asylum seekers abroad can be used against them in legal proceedings upon their return to Iran.” 

Among the evidence used to convict her were photos and videos of her Christian activities and baptism in Malaysia. Laleh had applied for asylum there before returning in 2017, frustrated by the lengthy process and seeking to reunite with her elderly parents. 

Borji added: “I hope immigration authorities around the world take note of this and think twice before rejecting asylum claims from genuine Christians who risk persecution if returned to their home countries.”