Faith

Update on Iranian Pastor: Lawyer Says He Believes in a ‘95% Chance of Acquittal’

Lawyer Says Iranian Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani May Be AcquittedThe Blaze has been following the story of Iranian Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, who has been sentenced to death as a result of his Christian faith. The legal debate going back and forth between his lawyer, Mohammad Ali Dadkhah, and the Iranian courts has been a complicated one (read about it here).

But, alas, it seems there could be a positive end to an ordeal that has caught the attention of religious freedom advocates the world over. Of course, considering the lack of transparency in Iranian governance and the unpredictability of officials there, this potential for a favorable outcome may be optimistic.

Dadkhah is now saying that he is hopeful that his client will be acquitted by an appeals court. In fact, he’s so confident that he believes in a “95 percent chance” that Naderkhani will be released of the charges against him.

As we have already reported, the young pastor, now 32, made a conversion to Christianity years ago when he was a teenager. While this has become the basis for the Iranian case against him, his initial arrest surrounded his public opposition to Christian schoolchildren being forced to participate in Islamic religious education. He was subsequently convicted of apostasy in 2010 and remains in prison in Rasht.

Lawyer Says Iranian Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani May Be AcquittedSo far, the courts have said that Nadarkhani must repent of his conversion or he will face the death penalty.

Under Islamic law, repenting would involve the pastor apologizing and denouncing his conversion to Christianity. To date, this has not happened, as Nadarkhani has stuck to his religious ideals during the past four days of his appeals trial.

Dadkhah told The Associated Press on Thursday that he expects a ruling by the end of next week. CNN has more about how cases of this nature in Iran are typically handled:

According to a source close to the situation within the Commission on International Religious Freedom, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, would have to sign off on the execution. Speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the subject’s sensitivity, the source said these types of issues are always difficult with Iran because of the lack of transparency in how they make decisions on when and how to act.

The source also said that in the past, political prisoners have had their prison time and punishment reduced by the Iranian government. Though they did not say that was guaranteed in this situation, the source indicated it was a possibility.

He says neither Iranian law nor clerics have ever stipulated the death penalty as punishment for converting from Islam to Christianity — thus Nadarkhani’s harsh conviction, if it stands, would be a first.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Comments (68)

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  • truelife
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:44am

    This entire story is propaganda and misinformation. As with the release of the Hiker (spys) Iran is working a pretty elaborate PR scheme here to appear less extreme then we all know it actually is.

    a 95% chance of being released? How exactly does one come to those numbers? Ultimately unless it is a trial by a jury of his peers those odds are impossible to predict, people eat this nonsense up?..

    Report Post »  
    • Jarhead4Jesus
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 5:23pm

      Right – in 2010 the Iranian Gov’t put this man up to protesting his children being educated with the Koran, then arrested him and sentenced him to death, and waited to bring the story out until 2011 just so they could look bad in the international community. It’s brilliant propaganda…

      We need to be praying for Pastor Yousef – and for the thousands around the world like him imprisoned for their faith in Christ. It is not just a nice gesture to pray for them – it is a command – see Hebrews 13:3…”Pray for those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners…”

      Report Post »  
    • chazman
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 7:32am

      … Mohammad is a murdering pedophile and …

      … ISLAM SUCKS …

      Report Post »  
    • A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 11:06am

      Yousef Nadarkhani, you prove that even in Iran, people can be reached for Christ. That shouldn’t surprise me, I know.

      I want to say on behalf of what America’s Founders intended for us, that I’m sorry my country gave insane people there an excuse to radicalize your country. I was under the impression that when my country fought with tyrants, it was to set people free. I believe this is the sentiment of a lot of the conservatives here.

      I never grew up believing America had a right to tell other countries what to do, and I always took the complaints of the tyrants to simply be propaganda designed to make the US look bad for wresting power from their hands.

      I understand now that the relationship between countrymen, having agreed with each other about the structure of their government, can not, and should not, be the same as the relationship between citizens of different countries, because they have both chosen a different group of people with which to “[lay the foundation of their government] on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness”.

      (Continued on next post)

      Report Post »  
    • A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 11:09am

      (Continued from prior post)

      And in that they have reached an agreement among themselves, as opposed to with the citizens of a different country, no foreigner has a say in how another country is run. This is from where the principle of national sovereignty comes.

      Believe it or not, this is one of the principles upon which America was founded. Our Founders respected the sovereignty of other nations because they themselves were victims of a government who hired another country’s men to oppress his own country.

      I hope we get back to these principles, soon. If we elect Ron Paul for president, I believe we will be well on our way to doing so.

      Report Post »  
  • EP46
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:40am

    Please join in group prayer for this young Christian. They can only take his life…..not his Soul.

    Report Post »  
    • Janai
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 4:14pm

      AMEN,
      I will be praying for him, and I’m sure other christians who know about him will
      be praying in agreement with you also..

      Report Post »  
    • BetheLight
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 10:33am

      Amen

      Report Post » BetheLight  
  • big-jeff
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:28am

    So you can say Muslims are not always Muslim by choice. So are there really 1 billion muslims in the world.

    Report Post » big-jeff  
    • EP46
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:44am

      As of October 2009, there were about 1.57 billion Muslims …. or about 23% of the world’s population.

      Report Post »  
    • scion88
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:52am

      Yes. 1 in every 6 human beings on the planet is Muslim. Islam is growing at 2X the rate of Christianity annually. There are over 1 billion Muslims in the world.
      780+ Million Muslims in Asia
      308+ Million Muslims in Africa
      64+ Million Muslims in China
      10+ Million Muslims in North America
      32+ Million Muslims in Europe
      Big numbers with one common goal…“The establishment of one single GLOBAL Islamic state and the demolition of the state of Israel”.

      Report Post » scion88  
  • scion88
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:26am

    Islam In Your Face http://www.answersaboutfaith.com/english/audio/david_moore/islam_in_your_face.htm

    Report Post » scion88  
  • santacary
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:13am

    it is a good thing that so many will lift up to Yahewh blessing for this brave soul , if he is put to death , that a good thng for him ; he gos HOME . he is sent to be with his Father .those who are putting him to death may think they are stopping the the cause of Christ but , Christains know every time a man of God is put to death the cause of Christ is advanced , and more and more will see the truth of God and His son Jesus the Christ , they will see they own sin and the sin of their nations sin. i would love to die foe the cause of Christ . i know my death is for your life. so too will be this pastor . i prayed for you ,i will pass this on to others in my church so they to might lift you up . God bless you , smiling down on you and cause your face to shine , lift up your hand and surrender to the will of God .

    Report Post » santacary  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 8:21pm

      Islam is a Babylonian religion which was concocted by Papal Rome in the 3rd century.Augustine had converted whole tribes in Africa to Catholicism, but the Pope wanted to raise up a powerful army from the sons of Ismael (arabs) and knew that they could be controlled by raising them up a savior in the form of Mahamad. They took the story of Abraham and Issac and switched Ismael to the place of Issac being offered up as sacrifice. One of the monks told Mahamads guardians to take him to a land to keep him and protect him from the Jews. Same story of Jesus being hidden from King Harod. Mahamads rich wife had been a close confidante of the Pope. She sold all she had and moved into a convent..hence her mission began to induct Mahamad. She had a cousin named Warquah who helped Mahamed with His visions. A powerful nation was formed. The pope wanted 3 things..1. Kill all Christians and Jews. 2 Protect the monks and Roman Catholics. 3 Capture Jerusalem for the Vatican City. They did all but give Jerusalem to the Pope. That is why the dome of the rock was built there.(I believe it was something to do with the false offering of Ismael. They killed Chistians but it did little good because Chistians so willingly offered up their lives for Yashuah. I don’t know if this was the Crusades, but I do know that millions of Christians were killed in the Crusades and millions of Bibles were burned. The Israelites are waiting for the Mosheh…just a man who will bring peace so all can worship YW

      Report Post »  
  • Dismayed Veteran
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:08am

    When we wonder why people are not closer to Christ, GOD presents us with a martyr to our faith. GOD is watching over him and teaching us a lesson in faith.

    Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
  • ColoradoMaverick
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:53am

    Sadly, he likely has a 100% chance of being executed for being Christian. I say we nuke them all.

    Report Post » ColoradoMaverick  
  • Naram-Sin
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:38am

    I’ve been following this story for some time. But sadly it’s not unusually. This sort of thing and worse goes on all across the Muslim world on a daily basis. So common is the persicution, abuse, rape, murder, and mayhem that is perpetrated by Muslims against Christians, Jews, and other nonbelievers that it hardly rates as news. But the western world remains blinded to this evil at least in part to political correctness. Worse they remain blinded as this stuff gets imported into our own country.

    Report Post »  
  • Chakam
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:28am

    Islam: The Religion of Peace.

    Right.

    And people think we Christians are a bloodthirsty lot. Let the false god of Islam rage and foam at the mouth. My Jesus is King, Lord, and Triumphant.

    This man’s destiny is in the hands of The Living God of Israel.

    Report Post » Chakam  
    • sondoggie
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 9:02pm

      We are praying for this pastor and his family and those who live under the tyrrany of Islam. God wants to save Muslim’s and loves them and died for them also. I pray that this incident will open the hearts of the people to the only true and living God, Jesus.

      Report Post »  
  • TEXASGRANNY73
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:23am

    Pray and remember there was a 4th man in that fire.

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:21am

    The Highest Authority has already found him not guilty…Jesus Christ.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • 1956
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:19am

    Even if he is released by the court – his and his family’s lives are forfeit. He’ll be murdered by his own people. I pray to God to keep him and his family safe. My fervent wish is for him and his family to be rescued from this nightmare.

    Report Post » 1956  
  • Ken
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:19am

    If he survives, he’ll be doing better than the 12 Apostles did in their day! God Speed, Pastor!

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  • Ctina7799
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:19am

    Whether or not this story is true OR false, ALL of us should hit our knees and pray for this pastor. This will not affect just him, but his family and all other christians in the region. Scripture clearly says persecution will be at its all time high in the last days and we are in it whether you believe it or not. Pray for this man every day. Typing our opinions does nothing for him. Prayer makes the impossible possible!

    Report Post »  
    • vennoye
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:39am

      Watched a Pastor last night on TV who had just returned from Egypt…he delivers food and water to christian widows and orphans. He said last year 375,000 people died for their faith. 350,000 in Muslim countries and the others in China and other countries. Really pray for this young man and his family!!

      Report Post » vennoye  
    • patrioticdale
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:43am

      At the end of our bible study last night, we ended with a prayer for the pastor. There are many of us out here that have faith in the Lord and are praying for his safety.

      Report Post » patrioticdale  
    • jado1981
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:57am

      As with Patrioticdave, we ended our Bible study last night including this man and his family in our prayers as well… I thought it was cool that someone else in our group mentioned him before I could. This guy may not be the exception, but he has gained a media following, I hope other news organizations are following what he’s doing. It will show how “tolerant” muslims really are, and how much of a blast it is to be a follower of moo-hammad. To God, the One True God, be the glory!

      Report Post »  
    • louise
      Posted on October 1, 2011 at 6:55am

      Vennoye, Amen.
      Those numbers never make it into the msm do they? God has his own in every nation.

      Report Post » louise  
  • Dougral Supports Israel
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:18am

    We need to keep this man in our prayers.

    Report Post »  
  • Audacity of The Infidel
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:00am

    This isn’t true!!!

    Death Sentence Still Imminent for Christian Pastor in Iran

    “Early this morning, the ACLJ received this troubling news from Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani’s attorney in Iran, Mohammad Ali Dadkhah. Mr. Dadkhah firmly denies that the court has agreed to overturn Pastor Youcef’s death sentence. He believes this is a lie spread by the Iranian secret service, even to members of his own family, to stop the media from reporting on this case.” By
    Jordan Sekulow

    http://aclj.org/iran/troubling-news-death-sentence-still-imminent-christian-pastor-iran

    Report Post » Audacity of The Infidel  
  • Harold B
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 9:46am

    Even if the courts free him, he is still dead, some kind of fatwa or something

    Report Post »  
  • cemerius
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 9:44am

    Ahhh the “religion of peace” Sharia and Islam are the same!! WAKE UP AMERICA!!!

    Report Post » cemerius  
  • Harold B
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 9:44am

    Totalitarian governments =totalirian governing = tyranny

    Report Post »  
  • randy
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 9:37am

    The Iranian animals know that if they kill this man it will cause them more problems than the second coming of Christ.

    Report Post » randy  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 7:52pm

      @RANDY Everything is lining up for the second coming. REV 6:10 They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?”
      REV 6:11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed

      Report Post »  
  • BrandyWilson
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 9:36am

    I pray that no matter what ….this pastor STANDS…Having done all THIS to STAND….STAND Brother STAND for what you know to be the truth!…That Jesus Christ is God…and Allah is a myth!

    Report Post »  
  • marvlus
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 9:31am

    Keep this courageous pastor in thought and prayer!

    Report Post »  
  • pjmack
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 9:30am

    Praying for you pastor. God’s will be done.

    Report Post »  
  • NuffSaid
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 9:28am

    95% chance to live? That’s pretty good odds in muslim land, is it?

    Still the fact remains that, if you are a Christian, there is a 5% chance that a Muslim will decapitate you. It’s more likely that you be decapitated by a Muslim than killed by a shark or struck by lightening.

    Report Post »  
  • ruach
    Posted on September 29, 2011 at 9:26am

    Continue praying for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ.

    Report Post »  
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