Persecution because of faith
Marzieh and Maryam released for prison after 300 days.
On Nov. 18th 2009, Maryam and Marzieh were released without bail, but charges against them have not been formally dropped, and they may still face a court hearing in the future.
Look the site up for writing letters to the prisoners: www.prisoneralert.com
Get informed, pray and act
Location: Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Arrested: March 2009
Days Imprisoned: meer dan 242 dagen. (nu 31 okt.2009)
Print Fact Sheet. Website: www.prisoneralert.com
Marzieh Amirizadeh Esmaeilabad and Maryam Rustampoor were arrested on March 5 2009 by Iranian security forces and labeled “anti-government activists,” according to Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN). Thirty year-old Marzieh and 27 year old Maryam are being held at Evin Prison, which is notorious for treating women badly. “Both women are allowed just a one-minute telephone call everyday to their immediate families. Both are unwell and in need of urgent medical attention,” FCNN reported. During their last call on March 28, Mazieh said that she was suffering from an infection and high fever. She said, “I am dying.”
Marzieh and Maryam’s apartment was searched and their belongings were confiscated. “Their only crime is that they are committed Christians who follow the teachings of Jesus,” FCNN added. “They are being unfairly labeled as ‘anti government activists’ because of the hostility of the government towards practicing Christians.”
The women have reportedly been interrogated numerous times and were held in three different police detention centers before being sent to Evin Prison. FCNN reported an exorbitant bail amount of US $400,000 has been set even though Marzieh and Maryam’s families have been told on numerous occasions that a judge is not available to discuss the case. Marzieh and Maryam’s arrest is the latest incident highlighting increased government intimidation of Christians in Iran. Believers are subjected to surveillance, arrests, imprisonment, and sometimes torture.
Sandul Bibi in prison because of her faith.
Location: Pakistan
Arrested: October 2008
Print Fact Sheet from: www.prisoneralert.com
Twenty year old Sandul Bibi is in prison in Pakistan, charged with violating section 295-B of the Pakistani legal code, the “blasphemy” law. Sandul is falsely accused of ripping pages from the Quran. On Oct. 9 a large crowd of Muslims attacked Christian families at a church, throwing stones and firing guns. They were shouting, “Kill Gulsher and his daughter Sandul.” Sandul and her father, Gulsher Masih, were arrested after a mob from the local mosque surrounded their house. Loudspeakers from different mosques broadcast accusations that Christians had disgraced the Quran, calling Muslims to attack and burn their homes. The angry crowd threw stones at Sandul’s home. Christians believe Sandul and her father were targeted and arrested because they were aggressively winning villagers to Christ.
Sandul has written several letters to her family from prison. In her latest letter she says, “I am praying a lot that God releases me from here and I can meet you, but I don’t know when. He will give answers for our prayers. Please pray for me.” If convicted, Sandul faces at least four years in prison. She and her family desperately need your prayers and encouragement.
Also write a letter of encouragement to Sandal’s father, Gulsher Masih, who is being held at the same prison.
www.prisoneralert.com
www.sdok.nl
www.FreeGao.com
Location: Vietnam
Arrested: March 2007
Days Imprisoned: 998
Print Fact Sheet
In May 2007, Le Thi Cong Nhan, a Vietnamese Christian and lawyer, was sentenced to four years in prison followed by three years of house arrest. Nhan was arrested and sentenced alongside Nguyen Van Dai, a Protestant church leader and lawyer. They are accused of a wide range of crimes; such as “conspiring with terrorists, in their efforts to promote human rights efforts, including religious rights and democracy.” They are also accused of compiling “evidence of Vietnam’s suppression of the Protestant religion and providing it to the U.S.-based Committee for Religious Freedom in Vietnam and the U.S. embassy.” Following Nhan and Dai’s sentencing, the Vietnamese state news agency accused the lawyers of “posting information on the internet … [and] painting biased and distorted pictures of the country and its internal affairs.