Release International

Two Christians acquitted of apostasy in Iran say the ruling was based on false claims by the court that they were in fact still Muslims.

Mahmood Matin Azad and Arash Basirat have reacted angrily to an official court statement which said that the pair had 'denied that they had converted to Christianity'.

They believe the court in Shiraz has tried to save face amid mounting international controversy over a proposed bill which would impose a mandatory death penalty on anyone leaving Islam in Iran. Parliament is still considering specific elements of the bill, which was approved unanimously in a vote in September.

Mahmood Azad told Compass Direct: 'The first question [the court] asked me was, “What are you doing?” I said, “I am a pastor pastoring a house church in Iran.” All my [court] papers are about Christianity – about my activity, about our church and everything.' He told his lawyer: 'First, I will not lie. Second, I will not deny Jesus my Lord and my Saviour.'

(Source: Compass Direct)

Pray for God's protection over Mahmood and Arash. Radicals may still try to attack them. Pray that charges against other Christians awaiting trial, including Ramtin Soodmand (7x7, October 14, 2008), will be dropped.

Please write a polite letter underlining your hope that Iran will uphold all citizens' freedom of religion. Write to: His Excellency Mr Rasoul Movahedian, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 16 Prince's Gate, London SW7. Please do not mention Release.

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