Release International

SEPTEMBER 2012
Maryam Jalili
Iran
On Christmas Eve 2009, Maryam Jalili was one of 15
Christians arrested by security forces at a private home
20km southeast of the capital, Tehran, who had
gathered together to celebrate the birth of Jesus. After a
week without any helpful information, family
members contacted the authorities and demanded to
know where their loved ones were being held. Officials
told the families the Christians would be released the
same day, but instead secretly transferred them to Evin
prison, well known as one of Iran’s harshest detention
centres .
On January 4, 2010, 12 of the arrested believers were
conditionally set free, but Maryam along with two
others, Mitra Zahmati and Farzan Matin, remained in
prison until their release on March 17, 2010. During
their imprisonment, security officials raided the
believers’ homes and confiscated their personal books,
computers, phone directories, CDs, DVDs and Christian
literature.
Rustampoor and Marzieh Amirizadeh who were held
for 259 days.
Mehdi Forootan, who was also imprisoned in Evin,
spent 38 out of a total of 105 days in solitary
confinement. He described being in a cell two metres
wide and three metres long with no bed, no chair, no
table – only a thin blanket, a small toilet and a metal
washing basin. A Koran and a Muslim prayer book lay
on the window sill and interrogations took place every
few days.
Please pray for Maryam. Conditions inside the prison,
the daily regime, and separation from friends, family
and loved ones all take a heavy toll. You can help
Maryam by writing a letter on her behalf (see over for
sample letter) and sending her a card of
encouragement.
In April 2011 Maryam, who is married with 2 children,
was re-arrested and charged with membership of
illegal groups. She spent a period of time in solitary
confinement in Ward 209 in Evin prison, before being
transferred to a general ward. On December 5, 2011, she
was given a two and a half year sentence.
Also paying a heavy price for his faith in Christ at this
time is Behnam Irani . Pastor Irani has been badly
treated and beaten by both the prison guards and
inmates. You can help help him by clicking on the link
below and emailing the authorities.
Maryam Jalili’s experience illustrates vividly the kind
of pressure being faced by Christians all across Iran.
www.releaseinternational.org/irani
In recent years many Iranian Christians have been
detained and imprisoned at Evin, including Maryam
PLEASE PRAY
That Maryam will be released and reunited with her family.
That God will protect, sustain and encourage her while she is in prison .
That church leaders across Iran will know God’s presence, guidance and grace at this difficult time.
PLEASE WRITE
When writing please do not mention Release International, advance your political opinions or
include anything which could be insulting to the authorities.
Send a card of encouragement to Maryam c/o Release International, PO Box 54, Orpington, BR5 9RT.
You may also send a letter to the head of the judiciary in Iran, expressing your concern at the growing
number of arrests and the increased harassment and discrimination faced by Christians in Iran.
Sample letter:
Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani
Office of the Head of the Judiciary
Pasteur Street, Vali Asr Avenue, South of Serah-e Jomhouri
Tehran 1316814737
Islamic Republic of Iran
Your Excellency,
I would like to express my concern about the imprisonment of Maryam Jalili who was arrested in April 2011 and charged
with membership of illegal groups. She spent a period of time in solitary confinement in Ward 209 in Evin prison, before
being transferred to a general ward. On December 5, 2011, she was given a two and a half year sentence.
In recent months there have been several arrests of Christians who appear to be law-abiding citizens and yet have been
targeted in this way simply because of their Christian beliefs. The Iranian Constitution supports the rights of religious
minorities in Iran and many in the international community are concerned that the actions of the Iranian authorities are
both unconstitutional and unjust.
I respectfully petition your Government to ensure all of its citizens are afforded equal treatment under the law and that in the
case of this woman her freedom to practise her faith is upheld, and that she is released.
Yours sincerely,
Release International produces the Prisoners of Faith alert every month as part of its ministry to support
persecuted Christians. To receive your own copy free of charge by email, please register your details at
www.releaseinternational.org/signup.
If you would like to make a financial donation to support Christian Prisoners of Faith and their families, you may
give securely online at www.releaseinternational.org/donate, or by calling 01689 823491. Registered Charity
280577.