Release International

Two Christian prisoners of faith have been acquitted of all charges 14 months after their arrest – and are now safe in a country outside Iran.

Maryam Rustampoor and Marzieh Esmaeilabad left Iran last Saturday – with a warning from the courts that they would be 'dealt with severely' if they were ever involved in Christian activities in Iran again.

Both were reportedly eager to thank everyone who prayed for them. Maryam said: 'I believe our arrest, imprisonment and subsequent release were (...) all for His glory. But the prayers of people encouraged and sustained us throughout this ordeal.'

Maryam and Marzieh, who were raised as Muslims, were arrested in March 2009 and charged with 'apostasy' and 'propagating Christianity'. They were held at Tehran's Evin prison where they endured repeated interrogations and solitary confinement and suffered very poor health. They were released on bail in November.

Meanwhile, the Iranian authorities have also released on bail a couple from Isfahan, Hamid Shafiee and Reyhaneh Aghajary, following a large bail payment. They have been reunited with their sons and are said to be in good health. They have been told to expect a future court summons.

(Sources: ASSIST News Service, Elam Ministries, Farsi Christian News Network, Middle East Concern)

• Praise God for the release of Maryam and Marzieh. Ask God to restore them and bless them with a fruitful ministry.
• Pray all charges against Hamid and Reyhaneh will now be dropped.

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