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Iran Finally Acquits Christian Pastor Charged With Apostasy


flowers_pastorYoucef Nardarkhani has been in the news for a couple of years now after the Iranian government had found him guilty of apostasy when he converted from Islam to Christianity. Now, the same court has acquitted him and released him from custody on Saturday, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

CSW reports,

CSW has been informed that Youcef Nadarkhani, the Church of Iran pastor sentenced to death for apostasy, has been released and is at home with his family.

According to reliable sources, during court proceedings that took place today, Pastor Nadarkhani was acquitted of apostasy, but found guilty of evangelizing Muslims. He was sentenced to three years imprisonment for the latter charge, but released because he had already served this time.

Ezra Dules writes,

Police arrested the then-32-year-old pastor in 2009 when he publicly protested the constitutionality of compulsory Islamic education for Iranian children. His accusers claimed in 2011 that he had been charged for rape and extortion. However, the Supreme Court opinion of his case referenced only the crimes of “turning his back on Islam” and “converting Muslims to Christianity.”

Nadarkhani was sentenced to death in 2010 and several reports earlier in the year said that he had been executed only to be retracted. However, though the Iranian penial code does not call for death for apostasy, but because of a constitutional loophole judges looked to Shariah law in order to justify the sentence.

Nardarkhani’s wife Fatemah was also charged with apostasy and sentenced to life in prison, but was released four months ago.

The Christian pastor was still found guilty of trying to convert Muslims and sentenced to time served.

CWS’s Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas issued a statement saying, “CSW is delighted to learn of Pastor Nadarkhani’s release after a long incarceration. We commend the Iranian judiciary for this step, which is a triumph for justice and the rule of law. While we rejoice at this wonderful news, we do not forget hundreds of others who are harassed or unjustly detained on account of their faith, and CSW is committed to continue campaigning until all of Iran’s religious minorities are able to enjoy religious freedom as guaranteed under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is party.”



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  • Gordon

    In most cases where someone accused of blasphemy or apostasy is released by Muslim authorities, they are killed by others in the community within a few days. The killers are never charged because they are following the commands of the Koran.

    As Lee said, the and his family must get out of the country.

  • Mike C.

    Everyone must read and learn our great document – the Constitution – first. Before we take up learning the Quran, how about every American knowing why we are the light of the world; that’s why the radical Muslims hate us so. Learn that freedom is not free; we’ve paid a price for what we have (HAD), lest we allow one individual in the White House keep diminishing our liberties with the help of a few. Case in point: go to the US Dept of Justice and check the home page of their site. Gone is the red, white, and blue banner, and read the inscription running across it; taken directly from a 1930′s left-wing socialist radical. (No, not Obama.) Our very own DOJ. I say, the more we know and celebrate our Americanism, the radical Islamists will find it more difficult to intimidate us, and frustrate themselves. I’m for and air-drop of pocket-size Constitutions on these war mongers. I’m sick and tired of being told to learn their ways. We have our founding documents, some of us have Bibles, and ALL SHOULD have a healthy dose of patriotism. Those things should stand pretty tall against outside threats. God’s blessings on our country and our troops.

  • Buck100

    Unfortuanately, we have decision makers in our government that believe that the Islamic religion is a peacful religion. We all ready have parts of our country, for example Dearborn, Michigan that have Muslims who want to have Shari’ah law. This cannot stand, we the people need to remove these decision makers from office where ever or whoever they maybe. I spent six and half years in Iraq and 15 months in Afganistan. Those two countries are so mean to their women it shocked me and my fellow Americans to the core, but they live under the Islamic laws. America must stop any thing that smells like an Islamic law. God bless America.

  • gale

    Thank you Father. Please protect this family. NOTHING is impossible with YOU!
    I hope and pray that those who persecute Christians will have their hearts, minds and wills “stirred” by the Holy Spirit, and that THEY will be set free.

  • Fleur in Texas

    Amen! God is good and he is taking care of His own. I have prayed that this good pastor would be released. Jay Sekulow of the ACLJ has been standing in the gap for Pastor Nardekhami since his incarceration. So happy to know that Shari’a law failed. Just goes to show you that people who trust in Our Lord is stronger and ever-victorious against the Devil.

    And I believe Allah and Mohammed are the Devil and his Anti-Christ. Islam is the exact negative image in Christianity. I also believe that there are many,many people who agree with this all over the globe. The Netherlands are probably the strongest example of their belief in God. They are trying to rid their land of Muslims and having a difficult time.

    If we were wise, we would be doing the same thing.

    I don’t care how “nice” a Muslim is, or how long they have live here in the US or if their children are US citizens or they are “the best neighbors in the world”, if given the chance, they will KILL infidels….Christians, YOU and your family.

    They are a brain-washed people who want to rule the World. Make no mistake.
    They can and they will if given half a chance; their religion commands it. Never trust a Muslim.

    Just don’t

    • buck100

      We need to remember when we go the voting booth that Obama basically stated that Islam is a peaceful religion. My fellow Americans do not vote for any Democrats.

  • LeSellers

    The question is, how long will he live? He is in Iran, where locals often take the law into their own hands, and administer justice à la Koran.

    Mr. O’bama, where are the Jobs?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Gerald-Scott/100002227796670 Gerald Scott

    Finally what a blessing it is to hear this pastor is once again free. I’ve signed many petitions over the last couple years for his release and for our state department to get involved. I personally want to thank ACLJ and Jay and Jordan Sekulow for all their efforts in this case.

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