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.
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.
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.
Our two sisters in Christ continue to need your prayerful support.
Please pray
Background information: IRAN: Christian Women Again Refuse to Deny Their Faith
