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Teheran: Roommates Marzieh Amirizadeh
Esmaeilabad, 30, and Maryam Rustampoor, 27, were
arrested March 5 by Iranian security forces who accused
them of being “anti-government activists,” reported
Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN), which recently
received news about their detainment.
All their personal belongings were confiscated during
the arrest, and they were handcuffed and taken first to
a police station in Gysha, west of Tehran for
interrogation. They were later taken to Vozara De tention
Center, then to a National Security Section of the
Revolutionary Court.
After several sessions of interrogation, they appeared
in the Revolutionary Court on March 18, after which they
were sent to Elvin Prison where they are being held
without charge.
According to reports received by FCNN, the two young
women are innocent and their only “crime” is being
practicing Christians. The incident highlights the
Iranian government's growing hostility towards followers
of Jesus Christ.
Last year, there were more than 50 known cases of
arrests and imprisonment of Christians in Iran. There
were also some known cases of torture.
Each day, the women are allowed only a one-minute phone
call to their immediate families.
During their last call on March 28, Esmaeilabad said she
is suffering from an infection and high fever, according
to FCNN's March 29 report. She also said, "I am dying."
Both women are sick and need urgent medical attention,
according to reports.
The Iranian court has ruled that the women could be
freed on a bail of $400,000, but the “excessive” bail is
unrealistic and is designed to make the release
impossible, noted that Christian news network. Moreover,
the women's families have been repeatedly told the judge
is not available to discuss their case.
“Iranian Christian leaders from around the world are
calling for the immediate and unconditional release of
Marzieh and Maryam,” FCNN stated. “We ask world
governments to put pressure on Iran to ensure freedom of
religion.”
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