Help Iranian pastor Yousef Nadarkhani
Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani could be executed anytime by the Iranian authorities, following his refusal to recant his faith in court.
The pastor, who was given the death sentence for 'leaving Islam' in September 2010, appeared in court in Rasht September 25-28 – and three times refused to renounce his faith. Now, he can be executed at any point, in accordance with Iran's interpretation of Islamic law.
The Supreme Court upheld the death sentence in June but ruled that Pastor Yousef's case should be referred back to the lower court in Rasht to establish whether or not he was ever a practising Muslim (Prayer Alert, July 1, 2011). The Supreme Court's written verdict allowed for the death sentence to be annulled if he recanted his faith.
Judges in Rasht, Gilan province, ruled that Pastor Yousef had not in fact ever been a Muslim – but upheld the death sentence because of his 'Muslim ancestry'.
Pastor Yousef's lawyer pointed out to the court in Rasht that the judges' verdict contravened current Iranian and international law – a point that they acknowledged. But they declared that the Supreme Court's verdict was final.
Pastor Yousef was arrested in Rasht on October 13, 2009, while he was trying to register his church. Initially, he was charged with 'protesting', reportedly against Islam's monopoly over children's religious education in Iran. Later, charges against him were changed to 'apostasy' and 'evangelising'.
Middle East Concern reports that the last known judicial execution of an Iranian church leader was in December 1990 when Rev Hossein Soodman was hanged.
Send an email now
Send an email to the Iranian Embassy in London to express your concern: info@iran-embassy.org.uk
- Address your email to 'Your Excellency, the Ambassador of Iran'.
- Ask the Ambassador to forward your appeal to the Iranian Government as a matter of urgency.
- Express your concern over the latest developments in Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani’s case.
- Ask that that the Iranian courts will acquit Pastor Nadarkhani of all charges, in accordance with Iranian and international law.
- Do not mention Release International. Please be respectful and courteous.
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