Maryam and Marzieh

Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Amirizadeh Esmaeilabad were acquitted of all charges by the Iranian judicial authorities, ELAM ministries has reported. Fourteen months passed from the time the two Christian ladies were arrested for their Christian faith and activities to the time of their acquittal. On May 22, 2010, they left Iran and are now safely in another country. Iranian authorities warned them that any future Christian activity in Iran would be seriously dealt with.

Open Doors supporters worldwide sent messages in support of these two women to the Iranian authorities. Open Doors’ efforts were helped by both the international media and by the efforts of a number of other NGOs.

Maryam and Marzieh are eager to thank Christians who have been praying for them. “We are most grateful to everyone who prayed for us,” Marzieh said, “I have no doubt that God heard the prayers of His people.” Maryam added, “I believe our arrest, imprisonment and subsequent release were in the timing and plan of God, and it was all for His glory. But the prayers of His people encouraged and sustained us throughout this ordeal.”

Marzieh added, “We have seen the Lord do miracles over and over again. He kept us and gave us favor in prison, and sustained us during a very difficult period of waiting for our final trial.”

Maryam and Marzieh are eager to thank Christians who have been praying for them. “We are most grateful to everyone who prayed for us,” Marzieh said, “I have no doubt that God heard the prayers of His people.” Maryam added, “I believe our arrest, imprisonment and subsequent release were in the timing and plan of God, and it was all for His glory. But the prayers of His people encouraged and sustained us throughout this ordeal.”
Marzieh added, “We have seen the Lord do miracles over and over again. He kept us and gave us favor in prison, and sustained us during a very difficult period of waiting for our final trial.”

More information about Maryam and Marzieh:

• Maryam and Marzieh came from a Muslim background and shared a home. They were arrested in March 2009 and were detained in prison until November 18 of the same year.
• The two women were interrogated at the Police and Security Station 137 in Gysha before being taken to Vozara Detention Center. Reports suggest that psychological pressure, including sleep deprivation, was used as part of their interrogation.
• On March 18, they were taken to Branch 2 of the National Security Section of the Revolutionary Court before being sent to Evin prison, where they spent some time in solitary confinement. Later, they were held in an overcrowded cell with more than 20 other women. 
• They faced charges of “propagation of the Christian faith” and “apostasy.” If convicted, they could have faced life imprisonment. They were under great pressure to recant their newfound faith and return to Islam, but both women stood firm and refused to deny their faith.
• The women were sick and lost a lot of weight during their imprisonment. Because of her back pain, infected tooth, and intense headaches, Marzieh needed medical attention. Evin prison has received criticism for its human rights violations and executions in recent years.