Nazir-Ali calls for release of Iranian converts

The Bishop of Rochester Dr Michael Nazir-Ali is calling upon the President of Iran to have mercy on two female converts who have been imprisoned for leaving Islam and embracing Christianity.
by Robert Williams, Christian Post
Friday, August 21, 2009

Two Iranian women - 27-year-old Maryam Rustampoor and 30-year-old Marzieh Amirizadeh - were arrested on 5 March for leaving Islam. They were put in the notorious Evin prison where they are reportedly deprived of medical attention and often blindfolded for interrogations for several hours.

They were brought before the court on 9 August and told to recant their faith which they refused to do and were then sent back to the prison where they face charges of apostasy - punishable by death in Iran.

“Maryam and Marzieh are being held simply because they have changed their belief. The UN Declaration on Human Rights says people everywhere should be free to do this and the Iranian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion,” Bishop Nazir-Ali was quoted as saying by The Times.

“I appeal to the Iranian President to have mercy and to release these two young women forthwith so that they can receive the medical treatment which they so desperately need,” said Dr Nazir-Ali, who is stepping down soon as a diocesan bishop to concentrate on helping persecuted Christians around the world. the rest