The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom welcomed the release of Maryam Naghash Zargaran, an Iranian Christian who was freed in Tehran. According to a report on Friday (August 11), Ms. Naghash Zargaran, who converted from Islam to Christianity, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2013 on charges of 'acting against national security' and had been imprisoned since July 2013. The International Religious Freedom Commission, a governmental organization, stated that it appears Zargaran was arrested due to her cooperation with Saeed Abedini, an Iranian-American pastor who was also detained in Iran. The arrest of this 39-year-old woman occurred shortly after Abedini's arrest. Mr. Abedini was released in January 2016 during a prisoner exchange between Iran and the U.S. Human rights organizations deemed her detention 'unjust' and solely due to her conversion to Christianity. The news website HRANA reported that Ms. Naghash Zargaran was released from prison on August 1 in Tehran and was welcomed by friends and family. According to this website, she had repeatedly gone on hunger strikes in protest against her conviction and the lack of necessary medical facilities for her heart condition. Regarding Ms. Zargaran's release, Mansour Borji, spokesperson for the Article 18 Committee associated with the Council of Iranian Churches, told Radio Farda that 'we welcome this good news, although this four-year prison term was not a pleasant time for her, her family, and Iranian Christians.' Mr. Borji added that the charges against Ms. Zargaran, including propaganda against the regime and conspiracy against national security, are a cover to justify the persecution of Iranian Christians, especially those active in house churches. On August 5, just days before the end of Ms. Zargaran's sentence, Mr. Borji told Radio Farda that Maryam Naghash Zargaran was in 'critical' condition following her hunger strike. The website Mohabat News, which reports on Christians in Iran, also stated that this Christian convert suffers from both physical ailments and psychological pressures.
Welcoming the Release of Maryam Naghash Zargaran, a Christian Convert in Tehran
Maryam Naghash Zargaran, an Iranian Christian convert, has been released from prison after serving four years for charges related to her faith. Her arrest was linked to her association with Saeed Abedini, another detained Christian pastor. This case highlights ongoing religious persecution in Iran.
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⚡ Actions
📰 What Happened
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom welcomes Maryam Naghash Zargaran's release from prison in Tehran.
- U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom announce Maryam Naghash Zargaran
- Iranian authorities release Maryam Naghash Zargaran
- Iranian authorities detain Maryam Naghash Zargaran
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Maryam Naghash Zargaran's release underscores the challenges faced by religious converts in Iran.
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🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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