Anti-persecution campaigners are increasingly concerned for an imprisoned Iranian Christian, as reports emerge of him being beaten for requesting medical support.

Amir-Ali Minaei, 31, has a heart condition – induced by the trauma he suffered during arrest in Tehran.

Minaei is a Christian convert, accused of “propaganda activities against the regime through establishing a house-church”. Revolutionary Court judge Iman Afshari also sentenced him to deprivation of social rights – such as membership of any organisation – once he is eventually released.

Amir-Ali was initially arrested in December 2023 and detained for over two months in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is under the control of the Ministry of Intelligence. After extensive interrogation, he was released on a $10,000 bail – but it is likely this was a deliberate ploy to further crack down on Christians.

Mansour Borji, from anti-persecution watchdog  Article 18 says: “Detainees are often compelled to accept temporary furlough, pardon, or early release… Authorities and interrogators seek to leverage these individuals as informants, or ‘collaborators’, requiring them to resume their daily lives while covertly gathering intelligence on other Christians and their activities. This practice constitutes a form of coercion, further infringing upon the detainees’ rights and subjecting them to ongoing surveillance and undue pressure.”

During his time on bail, Amir-Ali was diagnosed with a heart condition. Now he has been re-arrested, he has received no medical treatment – and was brutally beaten for requesting a doctor.

Article18 have identified the prison guard responsible for the beating as Mehdi Salimi.

The organisation state: “We are outraged by the denial of medical treatment to Amir-Ali and especially by his recent beating.

“We call on the Iranian authorities to ensure that the officer responsible, Mehdi Salimi, receives the proper punishment for his crimes.”