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Maryam
Rustampoor (27) and Marzieh Amirizadeh (30) were first
arrested and imprisoned on March 5 on charges of “taking
part in illegal gatherings” and “acting against state
security.” One unconfirmed report I read said they had
taken up a church offering without being authorized to
do so.They have been in Evin Prison ever since.
In a court trial yesterday, Sunday, August 9, they were
told to recant their faith. Even though the mandatory
death sentence for apostasy did not pass the Iranian
Parliament, there is still a very real danger they will
be convicted of apostasy and given the death sentence.
However, Islamic law forbids the execution of virgins,
which both these young women are. To get around that,
unmarried female convicts are forcefully “wed” the night
before their execution, gang raped all night, and then
executed the following morning. Please pray earnestly
these young women will be delivered from such a fate.
The latest news release from Elam Ministries about their
trial follows.
Though great pressure was put on them, both women
declared that they would not deny their faith. Maryam
and Marzieh were originally arrested on March 5, 2009
and have suffered greatly while in prison, suffering ill
health, solitary confinement and interrogations for many
hours while blindfolded.
On Saturday August 8, Maryam and Marzieh were summoned
to appear in court on Sunday August 9 in order to hear a
verdict on their case. The chief interrogator had
recommended a verdict of ‘apostasy.’ However, when they
arrived, no verdict was actually given. Instead, the
court session focussed on the deputy prosecutor, Mr
Haddad, questioning Maryam and Marzieh about their faith
and telling them that they had to recant in both verbal
and written form. This made it clear that in the eyes of
the court, Maryam and Marzieh’s only crime is that they
have converted to Christianity.
Mr. Haddad, asked the two women if they were Christians.
“We love Jesus,” they replied. He repeated his question
and they said, “Yes, we are Christians.”
Mr. Haddad then said, “You were Muslims and now you have
become Christians.”
“We were born in Muslim families, but we were not
Muslims,” was their reply.
Mr. Haddad’s questioning continued and he asked them if
they regretted becoming Christians, to which they
replied, “We have no regrets.”
Then he stated emphatically, “You should renounce your
faith verbally and in written form.” They stood firm and
replied, “We will not deny our faith.”
During one tense moment in the questioning, Maryam and
Marzieh made reference to their belief that God had
convicted them through the Holy Spirit. Mr. Haddad told
them, “It is impossible for God to speak with humans.”
Marzieh asked him in return, “Are you questioning
whether God is Almighty?”
Mr. Haddad then replied, “You are not worthy for God to
speak to you.”
Marzieh said, “It is God, and not you, who determines if
I am worthy.”
Mr. Haddad told the women to return to prison and think
about the options they were given and come back to him
when they are ready (to comply). Maryam and Marzieh
said, “We have already done our thinking.”
At the end of the session, Mr. Haddad told them that a
judge will give them his verdict, though it is not clear
who will be the judge in their case now. He also allowed
Maryam and Marzieh to have a lawyer represent them in
the case for the first time since their arrest.
Both women are back in Evin prison tonight. During their
five-month ordeal, both have been unwell and have lost
much weight. Marzieh is in pain due to an on-going
problem with her spine, as well as an infected tooth and
intense headaches. She desperately needs medical
attention. Two months ago the prison officials told her
the prison had proper medical equipment and that they
will attend to her, but so far no proper treatment has
been given.
Despite the concentrated effort of officials to pressure
them into recanting their faith, Maryam and Marzieh love
Jesus and they are determined to stand firm to the very
end no matter whatever happens. They have demonstrated
their love for Jesus and would offer their lives for Him
if they were called to do so. After today’s court
session they said, “If we come out of prison we want to
do so with honor.”
Maryam and Marzieh’s case is a clear and harsh violation
of human rights and religious liberty by Iran’s
authorities. They deserve the support of all those who
respect human rights and to be released without charges
so they can pursue a life of freedom.
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