TEHRAN, Iran — Nearly five months after releasing them from prison, an Iranian court has acquitted two women of all charges related to being Christians and engaging in Christian activities.
Iranians Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Amirizadeh Esmaeilabad were arrested March 5, 2009, and detained on charges of “acting against state security,” “taking part in illegal gatherings” and “apostasy” (leaving Islam) under Iran’s Revolutionary Court system.
After eight months, on Nov. 18, 2009, authorities released them conditionally. Elam Ministries said the two women had fled Iran on May 22 to an undisclosed location and were recovering. Another Iranian convert who was forced to flee his country said the court likely made a political decision.
“The government would not want them to stay in the country as heroes,” said the source, who requested anonymity. “It would be better for the government if they left Iran and didn’t become a positive example for the rest of the Christian community in Iran. Otherwise they would create a precedent of [Christians] who have not denied their faith, who have been acquitted and still live as Christians inside the country.”
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