Christian woman released from prison during Covid-19 outbreak is free for good.
Fatemeh Bakhteri(Photo: CSW)
A Christian woman temporarily released from prison in Iran because of the coronavirus pandemic has been told she does not need to return to jail.
Fatemeh Bakhteri was one of thousands of prisoners released on a temporary basis in Iran as part of the country's efforts to stem the spread of Covid-19.
The 35-year-old was initially granted temporary release from Evin prison but has now been told by officials that she does not have to return because she was pardoned for the Persian New Year, celebrated last month, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports.
Ms Bakhteri, from Rasht, is a convert from Islam and a member of the Church of Iran. She was sentenced to a year in prison in September 2018 for "spreading propaganda against the regime".
CSW reports that during the trial, the judge offered Ms Bakhteri her freedom if she returned to Islam. She was handed a prison sentence after refusing to renounce her Christian faith.
CSW's Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas welcomed her release but criticised her treatment at the hands of the regime. CT.
