Pastor Still Under Death Sentence

Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani is still facing a death sentence in Iran for apostasy, or leaving Islam. 

He was arrested in October 2009 after he protested the Koranic study forced upon his son.  While in prison, Muslims tried to pressure him into converting to Islam.  His wife was arrested in June 2010.  Authorities threatened to take their sons away and give them to a Muslim family. By July, two judges “agreed to make him ‘liable to capital punishment,’” and in early October his lawyer was verbally informed that the pastor had been sentenced to death for apostasy.  His wife was reportedly sentenced to life imprisonment in August, but by October her appeal was granted and she was released.

Pastor Yousef’s execution was originally set for October 24, 2010.  The written verdict against him was not delivered until November, and his hanging was also delayed.  He appealed to the supreme court of Iran and waited for six months for a hearing.

The supreme court’s verbally issued verdict created much confusion.  Some thought it annulled the death sentence, and others thought it upheld the sentence.  Based on an accumulation of reports over the past two weeks, it appears that the death sentence was upheld, and annulled only on the condition that Pastor Yousef “repents,” or returns to Islam. 

His lawyer just recently received the written verdict.  The supreme court is reportedly sending Pastor Yousef back to the same tribunal that sentenced him to death last year. The tribunal is to reconsider the case and determine if Pastor Yousef really was a Muslim before he became Christian.  If the court determines he was a Muslim, then the execution order stands.  Other reports indicate that sending him back to the tribunal may just be a delay tactic in order to put more pressure on him to convert to Islam.  He could be executed, released, or subjected to another trial.

The lawyer who defended him has also been sentenced to nine years in prison and has been banned for 10 years from teaching or practicing law.

Pray for Pastor Yousef and his family.  Ask God for his freedom.  Pray that he, his wife, and his sons will be strong in the Lord.  Pray also that the charges against his lawyer will be dropped.

Sources: Assist News, BosNewsLife, Voice of the Martyrs USA, Middle East Concern, Compass Direct, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Jubilee Campaign, and Mission Network News.