Latest update: Maryam and Marzieh
Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Amirizadeh
Esmaeilabad
have been acquitted of all charges by the Iranian judicial authorities, ELAM ministries has reported. Fourteen months have passed since the two Christian ladies were arrested for their Christian faith and activities. On Saturday 22 May they left Iran and are now safely in another country. They were warned that any future Christian activity in Iran will be seriously dealt with.
Maryam and Marzieh are eager to thank Christians who have been praying for them. “We are most grateful to everyone who prayed for us,” Marzieh said. “I have no doubt that God heard the prayers of His people.” Maryam added, “I believe our arrest, imprisonment and subsequent release were in the timing and plan of God, and it was all for His glory. But the prayers of His people encouraged and sustained us throughout this ordeal.”
“We have seen the Lord do miracles over and over again. He kept us and gave us favour in prison, and sustained us during a very difficult period of waiting for our final trial,” said Marzieh.
Our two sisters in Christ continue to need your prayerful support.
Please pray
- Praise God that Maryam and Marzieh have been cleared of all charges against them
- They will know the presence of God and His direction at this time of change
- They will be completely healed from their illnesses and be strengthened physically, mentally and spiritually.
Further information about Maryam and Marzieh »
Maryam and Marzieh come from a Muslim background and shared a home. They were arrested in March 2009 and were detained in prison until 18 November.
They were interrogated at the Police and Security Station 137 in Gysha before being taken to Vozara Detention Centre. Reports suggest that psychological pressure, including sleep deprivation, was used as part of their interrogation.
On 18 March they were taken to Branch 2 of the National Security Section of the Revolutionary Court before being sent to Evin prison where they have spent some time in solitary confinement. At present, they are held in an overcrowded cell with more than 20 other women.
They faced charges of 'propagation of the Christian faith' and 'apostasy'. If convicted, they could have faced life imprisonment. They were under great pressure to recant their new-found faith and return to Islam, but both women stood firm and refused to deny their faith.
The women were unwell and lost a lot of weight during their imprisonment. Marzieh suffers from back pain, has an infected tooth and intense headaches and needs medical attention. Evin prison has received criticism for its human rights violations and executions in recent years.
Freedom of religion in Iran »
Article 23 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran states: "The investigation of individuals' beliefs is forbidden, and no one may be molested or taken to task simply for holding a certain belief."
Although freedom of religion or belief is thus enshrined in the Iranian Constitution and Christians are recognised as a religious minority, apostasy (leaving Islam) is strictly prohibited. In Iran, leaving Islam could at worse mean the death penalty for men and lifetime imprisonment for women although the final verdict is left to the discretion of the judge.
Open Doors is not aware of anyone sentenced to death for apostasy in the last ten years but many people from a Muslim background who choose to follow Jesus are harassed by state officials, interrogated by the police and endure short term imprisonments. Torture is widespread in the Iranian prison system.
According to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the Islamic Republic of Iran is a party, "all persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person" (Article 10). Further, Article 14 states that, "everyone shall be entitled to a fair and public hearing by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal established by law, without undue delay."
Special Report on Iran »
Sources:
Open Doors International
Middle East Concern
ELAM ministries
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