They had spent over a month in prison, most of them in solitary confinement, just because they are Christians. They had all been arrested on December 26, 2010, along with 31 others.
Commercial letter of credit pledged as surety
Sara Akhavan's family had to give up their livelihood certificate, which means that if the authorities deem them to have violated the conditions of their release, they will lose their livelihood. The business license was not enough to secure the release of Sara's sister, Leila, who is still in Evin prison. Ladan Nouri, Nasrin Hosseini-nia, Anahita (whose husband Javad Zare is still in prison) are the names of the other women who were released on bail. In Isfahan, Fari Nadipoor, Basir Amini and Yasaman Yar-Ahmadi were released on bail. This is according to the Danish European Mission's partner Elam.
Demand for one million kroner in bail
It is reported that the families of three Christians arrested in Mashhad in January have been told that they must post the equivalent of almost one million Danish Kroner in bail to obtain temporary release. The experiences in prison and during interrogations can be very traumatic, and some Christians who endure these ordeals decide to seek asylum in another country. Families not only lose their loved ones to exile, but also suffer the financial consequences of the state swallowing the bail money.
Traumatized children don't know where dad is
For 34 days, the two minor children of Rasool and Maryam Abdolahi have been without their parents as they were both suddenly arrested without prior notice in the early morning of December 26, 2010. While their mother has been able to make a few phone calls, their ordeal is not over as both parents are still in jail and there has been no sign of life from their father. All the other detainees were allowed to make a few phone calls to their family members, except Rasool Abdolahi. Church leaders are extremely concerned and are asking for intense prayers for him.
26 Christians still in jail
At least 26 Christians are still in prison, including Yousef Nadarkhani, who has been sentenced to death for apostasy from Islam. Vahik and Sonia Abrahamian and Arash and Arezoo Kermanjani have been in prison in Hamadan for almost four months now. There has been great concern about Sonia's health, which has deteriorated due to the conditions in prison. There is also concern for Mojtaba Keshavarz and Shahin Rostami who have been detained in Arak for over three months, especially because Shahin is diabetic.
