Friends of Christian prisoner Maryam Naghash Zargaran are pleased to report that Maryam has been allowed home on medical furlough.
Maryam, who was previously granted medical furlough for a range of health issues in June 2016, returned to Evin Prison, Tehran on 27th June to continue serving a four-year prison sentence on charges of “acting against national security”. She then started a hunger strike on 5th July to demand her immediate and unconditional release in view of the inadequate treatment of her health issues. She ended the hunger strike at the request of her family at the beginning of August.
Maryam’s health deteriorated considerably during the hunger strike, her blood pressure dropped, she had pains and numbness in her feet and suffered psychological issues as a consequence of her imprisonment.
Prison officials examined Maryam on 20th July and provided a medical report confirming the seriousness of her condition, but her demand for release was denied at that time by an Iranian court at the request of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence (MOIS).
Prison authorities allowed Maryam to go home on Sunday 28th August to receive medical treatment. It is hoped that on this occasion the medical furlough will be long enough for Maryam to receive adequate care.
Open source: Human Rights Activists News Agency
MAY BE CIRCULATED TO GENERAL MAILING LISTS AND OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS, AND QUOTED FROM FREELY IN REPORTS CITING “MIDDLE EAST CONCERN” AS THE SOURCE OF THE INFORMATION.
Prayer points
Those close to Maryam are thankful that she has been granted medical furlough and request our prayers that:
a. Maryam will know God’s encouragement, recovery and strengthening and receive all the medical treatment she needs
b. the Lord will also encourage and support Maryam’s family
c. Maryam will be released unconditionally from prison
d. God will move the Iranian authorities and officials to love mercy and act justly
