Pray that she will receive the medical
treatment she desperately needs, and that they will grant her permanent
release from prison.
(Tehran, Iran)—[ASSIST News]
Maryam Naghash Zargaran, a convert from Islam who is nearly three years
into her sentence at Tehran's infamous Evin prison, has been granted
temporary release from prison, [Monday], so that she can receive medical
treatment. (Photo via ANS)
Maryam, an Iranian Christian is serving a four-year jail term for
"acting against national security" went on hunger strike to protest
against the prison's refusal to allow her to receive treatment for
long-standing health issues.
According to World Watch Monitor, she was originally arrested in
January 2013, in connection with her work at an orphanage alongside
Saeed Abedini, who was also imprisoned, but eventually released in
January this year.
A member of the Zargaran family told Mohabat News at the
time: "Maryam hasn't left her bed in four days. She is burning with
fever and has been on a hunger strike to raise her protest against
prison authorities' indifference toward her health. She is suffering
from serious health issues. Before going on a hunger strike, she had
lost 55 pounds, and her health issues had intensified. Authorities do
not show the slightest concern over Maryam's health. In addition, she is
suffering from depression and takes medication for it."
Middle East Concern (MEC) reported that a number of her fellow
prisoners decided to forgo family visits on May 29th to show support.
On May 31st, MEC reported that she was briefly taken to a hospital on
30 May, after which, on her return to prison, she started to drink
water.
"Zargaran has a history of heart problems and has recently reported
pain in her ears and head," said World Watch Monitor. "In October 2015,
she was allowed to receive a few days' treatment outside the prison, but
was forced to return before it was completed."
Rasht Christians bailed, but many still detained
Meanwhile, in the northern Iranian city of Rasht, two Christians have been released on bail after nearly three weeks in jail.
Yasser
Mossayebzadeh and Saheb Fadaie were arrested on May 13th alongside
Youcef Nadarkhani, an Iranian pastor once sentenced to death for
apostasy, and his wife, Tina. The couple was released later that day,
but Mossayebzadeh, Fadaie and another Christian, Mohammad Reza Omidi,
were detained.
MEC reports that Mossayebzadeh and Fadaie were each forced to pay the
equivalent of $33,000 for bail. Omidi was not given that option, though
it is not yet clear why.
Since 2015, more than 150 Christians have been detained by the Iranian
authorities. Many are in jail, while others, including Mossayebzadeh
and Fadaie, have been released conditionally, pending sentencing or an
appeal.
MEC's Rob Duncan said the current pressure being placed on Christians
in Iran is "not as much through open violence and arrests, as through
fear and intimidation."
"There are fewer raids on house churches, but instead people are
summoned to security for interrogation," he added. "There is a lot of
pressure on people to leave the country as a result. Also, when people
are arrested and charged, bail demands are high and can financially
cripple a family."
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Source: www.breakingchristiannews.com/