Iranian security forces have arrested two women for practicing Christianity. According to persecution watchdog International Christian Concern (ICC), Marzieh Amairizadeh and Maryam Rustampoor were accused of being “anti-government activists”.

The Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN) reported that Iranian security forces searched an apartment shared by the two women, confiscated their belongings and took them in handcuffs to a Tehran police station.

The women were then brought before the Revolutionary Court before being sent to the notorious Evin prison. The women were told that to be released they needed to pay a bail of $400,000.

FCNN reported, “Both women are allowed just a one minute telephone call every day to their immediate families. Both are unwell and in need of urgent medical attention. During their last call on March 28 Marzieh said that she was suffering from an infection and high fever. She said ‘I am dying’”.

ICC claim that persecution in Iran has intensified in recent years due to an increase in Muslims converting to Christianity. Last year 50 Christians were arrested for their faith. There have also been reports that some Christians have died following torture by the Iranian government.

Jonathan Racho, ICC Regional Manager for Africa, said, “Iran’s persecution of Christian minorities violates the fundamental freedom of its citizens to worship freely. The international community has obligations to speak up for the rights of the persecuted Iranian Christians. We call upon Iranian officials to stop mistreating Marzieh and Maryam and release them from prison.”