TEHRAN, IRAN (ANS) -- International Christian Concern (ICC) says that it has learned that on October 7 an Iranian judge charged Christians, Maryam Rustampoor, 27, and Marzieh Amirizadeh, 30, with “crimes” of apostasy and propagation of the Christian faith. They could face life imprisonment if convicted of apostasy.

Maryam Rustampoor, 27, and Marzieh Amirizadeh, 30

Elam ministries told ICC that Maryam and Marzieh were unexpectedly taken to appear before the court on Wednesday morning.

“In a positive development, their case has now been transferred from the revolutionary court to the regular courts after the judge dropped the earlier charge of anti-state activities. Maryam, Marzieh and their lawyer are pleased with this development,” said an ICC spokesperson.

Maryam and Marzieh were detained on March 5, 2009. The Iranian officials accused them of “anti-state activities” following their conversion from Islam to Christianity. During their appearance before the revolutionary court on August 9, they told the court that they would not recant their faith in Christ. For the report on their court appearance, see: www.persecution.org/suffering/pressdetail.php?presscode=325

ICC stated that Iranian officials sent Maryam and Marzieh to the infamous Evin prison where they have endured mistreatment, including solitary confinement and deprivation of medical attention. Both of them are in poor health. On October 4, Maryam suffered severe food poisoning and was given medical attention after much insistence.

In an interview with the Voice of America Persian News Network, Maryam and Marzieh’s lawyer said, “My clients are not prepared to lie about their faith under any condition.”

ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa and the Middle East, Jonathan Racho, said, “We welcome the move by the Iranian court to drop the charges of anti-state activities against Maryam and Marzieh. We urge Iranian officials to drop charges of apostasy and propagation of Christianity, as well. As party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Iran has an obligation to respect the right of Maryam and Marzieh to follow the religion of their choice.”

“Please continue to pray for the release of Maryam and Marzieh. Also pray for improvement of their health,” said the ICC spokesperson.

Note: ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441 or go to their website which is www.persecution.org.

Dan Wooding, 68, is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma, to whom he has been married for 46 years. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS). He was, for ten years, a commentator, on the UPI Radio Network in Washington, DC., and now hosts the weekly “Front Page Radio” show on KWVE in Southern California and which is also carried on the Calvary Radio Network throughout the United States. The program is also aired in Great Britain on UCB UK and Calvary Chapel Radio UK. Wooding is the author of some 43 books. Two of the latest include his autobiography, “From Tabloid to Truth”, which is published by Theatron Books. To order a copy, press this link. Wooding, who was born in Nigeria of British missionary parents, also recently released “God’s Ambassadors in Japan” which is available at amazon.com.