At a dramatic hearing before Iran's Revolutionary Court in Tehran on Sunday, August 9, two Christian women, Maryam Rustampoor (27) and Marzieh Amirizadeh (30), were told to renounce their faith in Christ. Although the women were put under intense pressure, they both declared that they would not deny their faith. Maryam and Marzieh were originally arrested on March 5, 2009 and have suffered greatly during their time in prison, including poor health, solitary confinement and many hours of blindfolded interrogation.
On Saturday, August 8, Maryam and Marzieh were ordered to appear in court on Sunday, August 9 to get a verdict in their case. The main interrogator had recommended a sentence of apostasy from Islam, but when the women showed up, no sentence was handed down. Instead, the court hearing focused on the deputy prosecutor named Haddad, who questioned Maryam and Marzieh about their faith and wanted them to renounce it both verbally and in writing. This made it clear that Maryam and Marzieh's only crime in the eyes of the court was that they had converted to Christianity.
Haddad asked the two women if they were Christians. They replied: "We love Jesus." The prosecutor repeated his question and they replied: "Yes, we are Christians," to which Haddad said: "You were Muslims and now you have become Christians." They replied: "We were born in Muslim families, but we were not Muslims."
Haddad continued to question them and asked if they regretted becoming Christians, to which they replied: "We regret nothing."
Then he emphatically declared, "You should renounce your faith orally and in writing." They stood firm and replied: "We will not deny our faith."
In a tense moment during the interrogation, Maryam and Marzieh said that they believed that God, through the Holy Spirit, had brought them to the knowledge of sin. Haddad said to them: "It is impossible for God to talk to people." Maryam went on to ask him: "Do you question whether God is omnipotent?" To which Haddad replied: "You are not worthy of God speaking to you." Marzieh said: "It is God and not you who decides whether I am worthy."
Haddad told the women to return to the prison and think about the options they had been given and to come back when they were ready (to obey). Maryam and Marzieh said: "We have already thought."
At the end of the court hearing, Haddad told them that a judge would sentence them, although it is not clear who will now be the judge in their case. He allowed Maryam and Marzieh to be represented by a lawyer for the first time since their arrest.
At the time of writing, both women are back in Evin prison in Tehran. Throughout their difficult time in prison, they have both been unwell and have lost a lot of weight. Marzieh suffers from pain due to an ongoing spinal problem, as well as a tooth infection and intense headaches. She is in urgent need of medical attention. Two months ago, prison officers told her that the prison had the necessary medical equipment and that they would take care of her, but until now she has not received any real treatment.
Despite the officials' concentrated efforts to pressure Maryam and Marzieh to renounce their faith, they love Jesus and are determined to keep the faith to the end, no matter what happens. They have shown their love for Jesus and are ready to lay down their lives for Him if they are called to do so. After the court hearing on August 9, they said: "If we are going to get out of prison, we want it to be with honor."
Maryam and Marzieh's case is a clear and gross violation of human rights and religious freedom by the Iranian authorities. The two women deserve the support of all those who respect human rights and to be released without charge so that they can live a life of freedom in the future.
Thank you for praying for Maryam and Marzieh!
Source: Danish European Mission's partner Elam Ministries
