In June 2020, Mina was arrested at a house church meeting along with Iranian-Armenian pastor Joseph Shahbazian and several other converts, according to Danish European Mission partner Middle East Concern. She was later accused of "acting against national security by promoting Zionist Christianity" either through leadership or membership of a house church. Iranian Christians are happy with the release of Mina.
Mina and her fellow convert Malihe Nazari were each sentenced to six years in prison in June 2022, and Pastor Joseph Shahbazian received a ten-year prison sentence. The four other Christian converts were also sentenced to between one and four years in prison, which they were allowed to pay in fines (equivalent to between DKK 5,130.98 and DKK 8,017.00) instead of going to prison.
Malihe Nazari and Pastor Joseph Shahbazian began serving their sentences in August 2022 and were released early in April and September 2023 respectively.
Mina's summons to serve her prison sentence was postponed after she was hit by a car and needed treatment for a broken ankle. She began serving her prison sentence in January 2024, where she continued to suffer pain from her injured ankle but was denied adequate medical care.
In early 2025, Mina's prison sentence was reduced from six to two years, leading to her release on Monday, taking into account her previous time in prison.
Mina has expressed her gratitude for the prayers on her behalf while she was in prison.
Pray for:
- Continue to pray for God's guidance and encouragement for Mina and healing for her ankle.
- Pray also for Pastor Joseph Shahbazian, who was arrested again in January 2025. He is being prosecuted along with his wife, Lida, and three others on charges of "assembly and conspiracy" and "propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran".
