Christian convert from Islam sent back to prison in Iran

Maryam Nargash Zargaran Open Doors UK/Facebook

A Christian convert from Islam in Iran has been sent back to prison in spite of suffering long-term health issues.

Maryam Naghash Zargaran, who has gone on hunger strike twice while in prison, had been released last month to get medical treatement after serving three years of a four-year sentence.

On Saturday she was locked up again in the notorious Evin prison and had to cut short her treatment, according to World Watch Monitor.

Amnesty International has criticised Iran's lack of adequate medical care in its prisons as "cruel".

Zargaran is a convert to Christianity from Islam who was arrested in January 2013 in connection with her work at an orphanage alongside the Christian pastor Saeed Abedini, who has dual Iranian and US citizenship. He was also imprisoned but released in January this year and is now in the US.

There has been a spate of arrests in Iran in recent weeks. A further five Iranian Christians were arrested at the end of August and there is growng concern for their safety, persecution charity Open Doors reported.

Zargaran'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. She ended the latest hunger strike at the request of her family at the beginning of August, said Open Doors, which is asking for prayers.

News
Over 320,000 people sign petition opposing Macron's '21st century mark' on Notre-Dame
Over 320,000 people sign petition opposing Macron's '21st century mark' on Notre-Dame

Over 323,000 people have signed a petition in opposition to new stained-glass window designs for Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Nicki Minaj says she has rekindled her relationship with God
Nicki Minaj says she has rekindled her relationship with God

Rapper Nicki Minaj opened up about her recently reignited relationship with God and what inspired her to speak out for persecuted Christians, suggesting that her rise in the music industry made it more challenging to maintain the spirituality of her youth. 

Legal action launched challenge to civil service participation in LGBT Pride events
Legal action launched challenge to civil service participation in LGBT Pride events

The Christian Institute has initiated legal proceedings against Keir Starmer in a bid to end civil service participation in controversial Pride marches. 

National Lottery Heritage Fund awards £7.3m to historic churches
National Lottery Heritage Fund awards £7.3m to historic churches

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded more than £7.3 million to help maintain four historic churches.