Iran releases Christian convert “Mary” Mohammadi from prison
An Iranian Christian convert who was arrested during an anti-government protest in Tehran last month has been released on bail from the Qarchak women's prison, which is located in a barren desert east of Tehran and seen as the most dangerous prison in Iran. For nearly a month after her arrest on Jan. 12, little to nothing was known about her whereabouts. There were reports about her being tortured and beaten during her captivity.
The 21-year-old Christian convert, Fatemeh Mohammadi, who prefers to go by the name “Mary” since her spiritual conversion, was released on a $2,250 bail days before her court hearing Monday, the U.S.-based Christian persecution portal International Christian Concern reported.
Iran is an Islamic regime that cares little for religious minorities and limits their expressions of faith. As such, Christians are often among those detained, harassed and beaten arbitrarily as their Christian faith is seen as a threat to the national security of Iran.
Mohammadi, a Christian human rights activist, was arrested on January 12 following a protest near Azadi Square in Tehran. Demonstrators had gathered in protest of Iran accidentally shooting down a commercial passenger plane. For nearly a month, little to nothing was known about Mohammadi’s whereabouts. Although she has been arrested before, the mystery surrounding her disappearance caused more concern.
Her court hearing set for Monday March 2 includes charges against her for “disturbing the public order and for participating in an illegal rally.” Mary Mohammadi was reportedly tortured and beaten during her time in Qarchak Prison. The news of her release on bail is a welcomed break from the uncertainty in her case to date.
Iran ranks as the ninth-worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution on Open Doors USA’s 2020 World Watch List. At least 169 Christians were arrested in Iran during the organization’s 2019 reporting period — Nov. 1, 2018, to Oct. 31, 2019.
