After nearly three years in prison with a death sentence for apostasy hanging over his head, Youcef Nadarkhani was released from prison on Saturday, September 8. After a lengthy hearing, Nadarkhani was found guilty of trying to convert his countrymen to another faith and was sentenced to three years in prison. He has been in prison since October 12, 2009 and has now been released.
Even though Youcef Nadarkhani is now out of prison, it doesn't mean he's out of danger. A previous example shows us that. In 1993, Christian prisoner Mehdi Dibaj also faced the threat of execution for apostasy, but after an international campaign he was acquitted and subsequently released in January 1994. The church celebrated, but a few months later, in June, Mehdi Dibaj was abducted and shot by unknown assailants.
Although Youcef Nadarkhani's beliefs are known to be unorthodox on the issue of the Trinity, he has suffered much for his faith in Jesus. We need to keep praying for him.
Pray for:
- Youcef Nadarkhani's safety
- His beliefs
- His future
Read more about the work for persecuted Christians in Iran here...
