Iranian pastor's execution is imminent, sources say
February 23, 2012
A Protestant pastor in Iran faces imminent execution for refusing to renounce his Christian faith.
Orders for the execution of Rev. Yousel Nadarkhani have probably been issued, the American Center for Law and Justice reports—although the secrecy of the Iranian judicial system operates in secrecy. The human-rights group said that the Iranian pastor was alive as of February 21, but that he could be put to death at any moment.
Rev. Nadarkhani was sentenced to death in 2010 for apostasy after he embraced Christianity. Although he has testified that he was never a practicing Muslim, Islamic law prescribes the death penalty for anyone who leaves the faith. Rev. Nadarkhani has been ordered repeatedly to accept Islam or face death, and has always clung to his Christian faith.
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Further information:
- Iranian Christian pastor to be hanged ‘immediately’ (Catholic Herald)
- Iran: imprisoned Protestant pastor again refuses to revert to Islam (CWN, 1/17)
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Posted by: samuel.doucette1787 -
Feb. 24, 2012 11:10 AM ET USA
It is the mark of cults and totalitarian regimes that those who leave those ideologies are killed for doing so. When are we going to stop the futility of dialoguing with them? The 60s are over, folks. Put down the dope, stop singing Kumbaya, and realize that we are in a fight to the death with an eternal enemy of Christianity.
