Iranian Maryam Naghash Zargaran was sentenced to four years in prison on July 15, 2013 for "acting against national security" - simply because she converted from Islam to Christianity and was active in the underground church. Now that she has finally been released, more and more shocking information about her time in prison is coming to light.
Was Maryam proven to be mismedicated for her depression?
Maryam has had a very hard time in prison and has had to fight to get proper medical treatment for her physical ailments. She has had to go on hunger strike several times to call out the Iranian prison authorities, which has resulted in a few short periods of medical leave where she has been able to be treated in hospital for her serious heart condition.
Maryam suffers from the diseases: 'hole in the heart' (atrial septal defect), osteoporosis, arthritis and osteoarthritis of the back, and she has previously undergone heart surgery. In addition, she has struggled with chronic depression brought on by the harsh prison conditions, as well as an untreated leg injury Maryam sustained after a fellow inmate assaulted her.
Maryam herself gives an example of the incompetence or perhaps cruelty that she believes reflects the professionalism of healthcare professionals:
"The clinic staff lack experience and empathy. When I went to them for my depression, they gave me a drug that I think is called Haloperidol. When I got out of prison, I found out that the prescribed medication is used for insane (psychotic) patients. The pills paralyzed me. I couldn't even think. I could barely stand up and I fell down the stairs several times..."Maryam says according to World Watch Monitor.
The pills paralyzed me. I couldn't even think. I could barely stand up and I fell down the stairs several times - Maryam on medication errors in prison
What will the new charges against Maryam lead to?
Maryam's four-year sentence was completed on June 5, 2017, but due to her absence from prison during furlough periods, her prison time was extended and she was given the prospect of being released on July 28, 2017. On July 28, Maryam's family gathered in front of the prison, only to be disappointed when Maryam was not released. It is reported that the prison had not received Maryam's release papers. She therefore had to wait three more days for her release. On August 1, 2017, she was released, but it wasn't exactly a happy occasion. Maryam recounts:
"No one can imagine how much I suffered in the moments before I was released. I was scheduled to be released at 15:00. I was happy until five minutes to three when the authorities told me that I had to go to court. They brought me to the court just minutes before I was to see my family, who were standing outside the prison gate waiting for me. I was taken to the Evin Court to hear the testimony of the prison medical staff who accused me of insulting them during one of my visits to the clinic. They said that I was screaming like crazy. What had happened was that I had gone to the prison clinic to be treated for a meniscus injury, but the doctor refused to see me. I told the doctor, who was a former wrestler, that the clinic was not a wrestling ring. As a result, I was sued for apparently insulting the prison clinic staff." Maryam says according to World Watch Monitor.
With the new charges against Maryam, her future looks uncertain. Maryam herself is in no doubt about the intent of the charges: to intimidate and put pressure on her. In court, Maryam was also banned from leaving Iran for the next six months, which she says is against the law.
Maryam continues to need prayer
My heartfelt thanks to everyone who has faithfully prayed and written letters of encouragement to her. It has been a blessing and strength for her during her tough time in prison. Please continue to pray for Maryam:
- May God protect and bless her in her new circumstances.
- That the new charges may be dropped.
- That she may experience physical and mental healing.
- That she may gain wisdom for what to do in the future.
