Maryam and Marzieh 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.
They are now being 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 development in
their detention follows.
MARYAM (L) AND MARZIEH: “We will not deny our faith”
PLEASE PRAY FOR MARYAM ROSTAMPOUR AND MARZIEH AMIRIZADEH
News Release from Elam Ministries:
Sunday, August 9, 2009
In a dramatic session before the revolutionary court today
in Tehran, Maryam Rustampoor (27) and Marzieh Amirizadeh (30) were told to
recant their faith in Christ. 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.
