Release International
Anti-state charge dropped against women Christians in Iran |
| Oct 13 2009 |
Release International is delighted to hear that Iran has dropped a major charge of conducting activities against the state against two Christian women who have been detained since March because of their faith.
27-year-old Maryam Rustampoor, and 30-year old Marzieh Amirizadeh Esmaeilabad were told by a court to renounce their new-found Christian faith and return to Islam. But they have refused.
They were arrested on three charges: anti-state activity, propagating the Christian faith, and apostasy – leaving Islam.
According to Middle East Concern a judge at the Revolutionary Court has now dropped the charge of carrying out activities against the state. The two women and their lawyers are said to be delighted, as acquittals are rare in Iran.
Their case will now be transferred to a general court, where the other two charges will be considered.
In Iran it is illegal for Muslims to change their faith. And legislators are considering mandating the death penalty for Muslim men who change their religion. Under the proposed law the penalty for women would be life imprisonment.
Maryam and Marzieh are now back in prison, awaiting their next hearing. Both are said to be in poor health and to have been denied satisfactory medical care by the authorities – though Maryam was given treatment for severe food poisoning.
‘This is good news that Iran has dropped the unfounded charge of carrying out activities against the state,’ says Release CEO Andy Dipper. ‘But what it indicates is how Iran confuses personal matters of faith with national security.
‘Christians are wrongly regarded as being anti-government in Iran and are heavily persecuted. The state must move to grant full freedom of religion to its citizens.
‘Many Christians in the UK have been praying for Maryam and Marzieh. Please keep doing so, and writing to the Iranian embassy on their behalf.
‘Pray especially that Maryam and Marzieh will continue to know the Lord’s presence and comfort each day, and that they will stand firm despite the continuing pressure to renounce their faith. Pray also that the two outstanding charges against them will be dropped and they will soon be released.’
Through its international network of missions Release supports Christians imprisoned for their faith and their families in 30 nations. It supports church workers, pastors and their families, and provides training, Bibles, Christian literature and broadcasts. Release is a member of the UK organisations Global Connections, the Evangelical Alliance and the Micah Network.
ENDS
NOTES TO THE EDITOR
For a country profile on Iran, please go to:
www.releaseinternational.org/pages/country-profiles/iran.php
For further information please contact Andrew Boyd on 01903 741184 or 07919311993, or contact Release International on 01689 823491 or by email at info@releaseinternational.org
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