Iran – CSW calls for Christian women to be freed

Following the release of Iranian-American journalist, Roxana Saberi from Evin prison, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) urgently calls for the discharge of two female Christian converts from Islam still being held there without charge.

Maryam Rostampour, 27, and Marzieh Amirizadeh, 30, were arrested by Iranian security officers on 5 March 2009 after their apartment was searched and their Bibles confiscated amongst other items.

Neither women have committed a crime as defined under Iranian or international law

According to reports from news agency Associated Press, Roxana Saberi has been reunited with her parents today after an appeals court reduced her eight-year sentence for espionage to a two-year suspended term.

CSW’s Advocacy Director Tina Lambert said: “CSW warmly welcomes today’s news of Roxana Saberi’s release, but remains deeply concerned for the safety of Maryam and Marzieh. CSW believes both women are detained primarily because of their religious convictions. We urgently ask that the Iranian Government show the same prudence they expressed in releasing Ms. Saberi by allowing these innocent Christian women to go free.”

Note to Editors:

Interviewees are available today for further comment, please contact CSW’s press office.

Please download a copy of CSW’s report on apostasy.

For a photograph of Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Amirizadeh, please contact CSW’s press office.