Imprisoned Iranian Christian convert refuses to end hunger strike

The family of an Iranian Christian convert imprisoned for her faith are fearing for her life after she refused to end her hunger strike.

Iranian Christian Convert Maryam Naghash Zargaran is serving a four-year sentence in Evin Prison for practising her Christian faith in Iran. Facebook

Maryam Naghash Zargaran has pledged to continue her protest until she is released from prison.

Speaking to the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Zargaran's mother, Zahra Pour-Nouhi Langroudi, said her daughter "won't stop until the authorities pay attention to her demand".

"She also said she will not accept medical treatment at the prison clinic because the last time she was there the physician... insulted her and called her a liar," Langroudi added.

"I demand my daughter's unconditional freedom. I have been going to the offices of the prosecutor and the Supreme Court every day, but no one gives me a straight answer. They are indifferent. I don't know what else to do for my child's freedom."

Langroudi said her daughter had been suffering from numerous health problems before prison, and they have been exacerbated by the poor conditions and insufficient treatment she has received since being incarcerated in Iran's notorious Evin Prison.

"I'm worried that her hunger strike will threaten her life," Langroudi said. "She underwent heart surgery in 2015 and the doctors said she must avoid stressful conditions, which is impossible in prison."

Zargaran was arrested in 2013 along with pastor Saeed Abedini, who was granted early release as part of a prisoner swap with the US earlier this year.

She was charged with "propagating against the Islamic regime and collusion intended to harm national security" and sentenced to four years in prison.

related articles
Iran: Christian prisoner on hunger strike in serious medical condition

Iran: Christian prisoner on hunger strike in serious medical condition

Family of Christian convert seriously ill in prison repeat plea for release
Family of Christian convert seriously ill in prison repeat plea for release

Family of Christian convert seriously ill in prison repeat plea for release

Report on freedom of religion shows horrific persecution of Christians worldwide
Report on freedom of religion shows horrific persecution of Christians worldwide

Report on freedom of religion shows horrific persecution of Christians worldwide

Saeed Abedini: Why is it so hard to accept he isn\'t perfect?
Saeed Abedini: Why is it so hard to accept he isn't perfect?

Saeed Abedini: Why is it so hard to accept he isn't perfect?

News
Christian leaders deeply disappointed by Commons backing for assisted suicide
Christian leaders deeply disappointed by Commons backing for assisted suicide

Church leaders have expressed deep disappointment after the House of Commons voted in favour of legalising assisted suicide. 

Committed anti-assisted suicide campaigner dies days before crunch vote
Committed anti-assisted suicide campaigner dies days before crunch vote

Philip Bateman had practical concerns about assisted suicide but ultimately believed it to be against God's plan for us.

'This is a deeply flawed and dangerous Bill' - Care Not Killing's response to assisted suicide vote
'This is a deeply flawed and dangerous Bill' - Care Not Killing's response to assisted suicide vote

Dr Gordon Macdonald, CEO of Care Not Killing, responds to the Third Reading vote in the House of Common in which legislation legalising assisted suicide passed by a narrow majority of 314 votes to 291

Christians 'grieved' after MPs back assisted suicide by just 23 votes
Christians 'grieved' after MPs back assisted suicide by just 23 votes

Christians have reacted with sadness after MPs today voted in favour of Kim Leadbeater's bill to legalise assisted suicide.