Two Christian women have been released from an Iranian prison after being held captive for roughly nine months. (See earlier article) The two women, 27-year-old Maryam Rostampour and 30-year-old Marzieh Amirizadeh, were arrested and held in the Evin prison in Tehran for refusing to deny their faith.
The case began with their arrest in March, and it was not until April that authorities informed the women that they were charged with illegal gatherings and acting against state security. By August, the two were warned that they should recant their Christian faith, and when they refused to do so, replying, "We love Jesus," they were charged a month later with anti-state activities, propagation of the Christian faith, and apostasy. However, a new judge who presided over their most recent case was more sympathetic than those before him, and he acquitted them of some charges. The women were released Wednesday. Jerry Dykstra of Open Doors USA says that though this news is highly encouraging, their release does not necessarily mean they will be living in complete freedom. "They still might have to face some charges of apostasy or prophesying about their Christian religion," Dykstra warns. "They could be called into court at any time, and of course that's really stressful." Open Doors initially launched an e-mail campaign on the women's behalf, pleading their release from prison.
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