Aida Najaflou, an Iranian Christian convert from Islam detained in Tehran’s Evin Prison, suffered a spinal fracture after falling from her bunk bed in the early hours of October 31.
She was sent back to the prison later that day, denied proper medical treatment, despite the severe nature of her injuries and ongoing health issues. Aida suffers from rheumatoid arthritis.
Aida was transferred to hospital where X-rays confirmed the injury. Yet she was returned to prison later that day on a stretcher, still in acute pain. Protests from other political and religious prisoners in the women’s ward of Evin Prison led the authorities to transfer her to another hospital.
Aida Najaflou suffered a spinal fracture from a fall in Tehran’s Evin Prison. [Image credit: Article 18]
Medical imaging established that Aida had sustained a fracture in the T12 vertebra of her spine. Doctors called for urgent surgery, followed by a long recuperation under specialist supervision.
Aida had warned prison officers repeatedly of the dangers of climbing to the upper bunk for someone in her condition. Her requests for transfer to a lower bed were unheeded.
Repeated denial of appropriate medical care has occurred throughout her detention, which has included 65 days of solitary confinement under the Intelligence Ministry’s control. Other Christian prisoners in Iran such as recently released Mina Khajavi were also reported to be denied essential treatment while in prison.
Mother-of- two Aida was arrested in February 2025 along with Joseph Shahbazian and Naser Navard Goltapeh (both re-arrested after earlier being “pardoned” and released) on “propaganda” and “collusion” charges concerning her religious activities.
Their cases remain under judicial review. On September 18-19, the second hearing for five Christians (Aida, Joseph, Naser, Joseph’s wife Lida Alek-Sani and one individual whose name has not been released) was held at Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court. At the time of writing the verdict has yet to be made known.
Aida faces two further charges – “propaganda activity against the Islamic Republic of Iran in the cyberspace” and “propaganda in favor of groups or organizations opposed to the Islamic Republic of Iran.” These relate to social media posts made allegedly in support of the “Women, Life, Freedom” protests and against the former leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah.
How You Can Pray
Pray that Aida will receive the treatment she needs to make a full recovery. Ask that she will be allowed to recuperate without harassment and that her medical needs will receive the attention required. Pray that the charges against her and other Christian prisoners held on spurious charges in Iran will be dismissed and that they will be released from imprisonment.
