Name: Mahrokh Rokhsareh Ghanbari
Background: Christian Convert
Age: 60s
Country/Area of Origin: Islamic Republic of Iran
Reason for Arrest:
In December 2018, shortly before Christmas, three agents from Iranian intelligence raided the home of Mahrokh (65) and confiscated mobile phones, Bibles and other Christian materials. Officers then took Mahrokh to intelligence offices where they interrogated her intensively from morning to evening, with no regard to her age.
Officers released Mahrokh only after submitting bail of 30 million Toman (US$2,500). In January she was brought before the prosecutor to answer charges of “acting against national security” and forced to go to a religious leader to be “instructed” and directed to return to Islam.
Latest Updates:
- On 3 January 2022, Mahrokh was summoned to Karaj Revolutionary Court where she is facing newfound charges of alleged propaganda against the regime.
- On March 2, 2020, Mahrokh was temporarily released from prison due to the COVID-19 pandemic, having provided security of 30 million tomans ($2,000). On April 2, prison authorities informed Mahrokh that she was no longer required to return to prison.