By Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent



TEHRAN, IRAN (Worthy News)-- Two young Christian women who faced execution or at leastlife imprisonment in Iran for converting from Islam to Christianity were to be released asearly as Tuesday, November 17, after international pressure and prayers, theirrepresentatives told Worthy News and its partner agency BosNewsLife.

Elam Ministries, a group founded by senior Iranian church leaders, said Marzieh AmirizadehEsmaeilabad, 30, and Maryam Rustampoor, 27, were told over the weekend they would be freedfollowing some 257 days imprisonment in one of Tehran's most notorious prisons.

Their release was already expected Monday November 16, but other Christians cautioned it maytake a little bit longer due to bureaucratic procedures. "We understand after their release they might have to attend court hearings," cautioned ElamMinistries in a statement. However, "We are rejoicing at the prospect of their release but would askyou to pray for their full and unconditional release, and for their safety and quick recovery."

HEALTH PROBLEMS

Both women, who reportedly suffer health problems, were detained March 5 for converting toChristianity, after their apartment had been searched and their Bibles and other items wereconfiscated, Christians said.

During solitary confinement, interrogations "for many hours while blindfolded" andother mistreatment in Tehran's Evin prison, they were pressured to return to Islam in exchangefor freedom or a leaner sentence, well-informed Christians told BosNewsLife earlier.

Both women refused, reportedly telling the persecution during a court hearing: "We love Jesus,"and Yes, we are Christians.

The prosecution allegedly demanded that the women "renounce" their faith "verbally and in written form,"but they refused saying: We will not deny our faith [in Christ]."

TENSE MOMENT

During one tense moment in the questioning, Rustampoor and Esmaeilabad made reference to their beliefthat God had spoken to them through the "Holy Spirit", observers said. After a deputy prosecutor reportedlytold them "It is impossible for God to speak with humans, Marzieh Amirizadeh Esmaeilabad reportedlywondered: "Are you questioning whether God is Almighty?"

Their expected release, despite their refusal to recant their faith, follows international pressureand prayers from around the world, Christians said. International media, including BosNewsLife, alsocovered the case extensively.

The case underlined reported mounting pressure on especially former Muslims who converted to Christianity in Iran. Under Iran's strict interpretation of Islam, anyone converting to another religion could face thedeath penalty or at least life imprisonment, several observers said.

Several Christians remain detained in Iran and security forces have raided churches and Christian homes.