BosNewsLife Middle
East Service- Stefan J. Bos
TEHRAN, IRAN
(BosNewsLife)-- Two young women who
converted from Islam to Christianity may face execution or at least
life imprisonment after an Iranian court officially charged them with
"apostasy" and "propagation of the Christian faith",
trial observers and Iranian Christians confirmed Thursday, October 8.
Marzieh Amirizadeh Esmaeilabad, 30, and Maryam Rustampoor, 27, were detained in
March for practicing Christianity after authorities raided and confiscated
materials from their home.
Authorities reportedly also accused them of "engaging in anti-government
activities" but that charge was dropped during the unexpected hearing
at the Revolutionary Court
on Wednesday, October 7, Christians said.
Both women have refused to renounce their faith in Christ and return to Islam,
despite reported pressure from authorities in this strictly Islamic
nation.
The two young women are to appear in front of a regular court, trial observers
said. The United States
has criticized their detention. Iranian Christians have expressed concerns
about the health of the women, who have been held in Tehran's
notorious Evin Prison.
FOOD POISONING
On October 4, Maryam Rustampoor suffered severe food poisoning, but was given
medical attention only after much insistence, Christians said.
"Maryam and Marzieh have now been in prison in Tehran
because of their faith for over six months and their health is
deteriorating," explained 'Pray for Iran',
an Internet initiative of Iranian churches, which has closely followed the
case.
"Both women are suffering from sore thoughts, irregular painful stomach
aches and often intense head aches. Both have lost much weight during
their ordeal, because of their sickness and lack of nutrition," Pray for Iran added.
"Marzieh's tooth infection is only being treated by painkillers and if the
infection spreads it could become critical. Due to overcrowding in the prison
and the limited facilities, they have not received adequate treatment."
There are reportedly many other sick inmates and, Christians said there is
"a constant risk of picking up other viruses."
PRAYERS URGED
.......Rights group International Christian Concern (ICC) said it remains
hopeful that Iran
will eventually release the women. "We welcome the move by the
Iranian court to drop the charges of anti-state activities against Maryam and
Marzieh," added ICC Regional Manager for Africa and
the Middle East Jonathan Racho.
"We urge Iranian officials to drop charges of apostasy and propagation of
Christianity, as well. As party to the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights, Iran
has an obligation to respect the right of Maryam and Marzieh to follow the
religion of their choice.”
Iranian Christians say there has been growing "government
intimidation" of Christians in Iran.
In recent months dozens of Christians are known to have been imprisoned
and there were reportedly some cases of torture.