Iran drops charge against two Christian women – report
Updated: Wednesday, October 14, 2009
11:00GMT—7:00AM/EST
Washington, 14 October (WashingtonTV)—Iran has dropped one of three charges against two Christian women who have been detained since March, a Christian freedom watchdog reported on Tuesday.
The two women, Maryam Rostampour, 27, and Marzieh Amirizadeh, 30, were arrested on charges of anti-state activity, propagating the Christian faith and apostasy.
According to the UK-based Release International organization, a judge at the Revolution Court has dropped the charge of carrying out activities against the state.
The case will now be transferred to a general court, where the two other charges will be considered, said the report.
“This is good news that Iran has dropped the unfounded charge of carrying out activities against the state,” said Release International chief, Andy Dipper. “But what it indicates is how Iran confuses personal matters of faith with national security.”
According to the International Christian Concern organization, the two women were earlier told by a Tehran Revolution Court to recant their Christian faith and return to Islam, but they refused.
The women, who are now back in Tehran’s Evin Prison, awaiting their next hearing, are both said to be in poor health and to have been denied satisfactory medical care.
“Christians are wrongly regarded as being anti-government in Iran and are heavily persecuted. The state must move to grant full freedom of religion to its citizens,” said Dipper.
If convicted of apostasy, the women could be sentenced to death.
Sources: Release International website, International Christian Concern website
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