Contents tagged with Iranian government
Filed in: Iran | by Jordan Sekulow | 12:26 PM Feb. 21, 2012
Execution Orders Issued for Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani
We are hearing reports from our contacts in Iran that the execution orders for Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani may have been issued. Pastor Youcef’s situation – an innocent man convicted and sentenced to death for becoming a Christian – has not been this dire since we first brought his case to your attention last year. It is unclear whether Pastor Youcef would have a right of appeal from the execution order. We know that the head of Iran’s Judiciary, Ayatollah Sadegh... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by Matthew Clark | 6:08 PM Feb. 3, 2012
Iran Judiciary Chief: Mistake to Join Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The BBC is reporting that Iran’s Judiciary Chief, Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani – who has been involved in determining the fate of Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani – has “criticized the Universal Declaration of Human Rights” (UDHR), stating that Iran made a mistake when it signed the UDHR. Larijani defended Iran’s abysmal human rights record at the “Human Rights Forum and the Position of Iran and Islam” conference, reiterating Iranian President Ahma... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by Matthew Clark | 5:13 PM Jan. 25, 2012
Pastor Youcef Still Alive But Under Increased Pressure to Recant
Sources inside Iran have reported to the ACLJ that the Chief Justice of the Gilan Provincial Court in Iran is again pressuring Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani to recant his faith in Christ. Last week the Chief Justice, in a private meeting, ordered that additional pressure be put on Pastor Youcef to recant his faith. Again, Pastor Youcef responded by refusing to deny his faith in Christ and reiterating to the Iranian authorities that he could not return to Islam because he was never a Muslim... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by Matthew Clark | 4:51 PM Jan. 16, 2012
Under Increased Pressure Pastor Youcef Refuses to Recant Faith in Christ
Iran is continuing its relentless attempt to force persecuted Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani to recant his faith in Jesus Christ. New reports state that Iranian officials are still pressuring the pastor, who has been sentenced to death for his Christian faith, “to renounce his faith in Christ and accept the prophet Muhammad as his savior.” Pastor Youcef, has once again refused, remaining steadfast in his faith. Remember, Iran previously demanded on at least three separate occasi... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by Jordan Sekulow | 10:02 AM Nov. 10, 2011
State Department is Listening: Pastor Youcef Not Forgotten
Yesterday afternoon, a team of ACLJ attorneys met with officials from the U.S. Department of State to discuss the current situation in Iran and specifically our involvement in Pastor Nadarkhani’s case. This meeting was prompted by the State Department as a result of our relentless efforts to ensure that the diplomatic arm of the U.S. government was doing all it could to see that Pastor Youcef is released unconditionally. After repeated letters, phone calls, and a petition garnering nearly ... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by Jordan Sekulow | 5:33 PM Nov. 8, 2011
Attention on Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani’s Case Helps Persecuted Christians
With your effort, both through your prayer for Pastor Youcef and by urging for his release, we are making a difference in Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani’s life and for other persecuted Christians in Iran. This morning, ACLJ attorneys confirmed with Pastor Youcef’s attorney in Iran, Mohammad Ali Dadkhah, that Pastor Youcef is alive and being treated well by prison officials. Mr. Dadkhah remains hopeful that our work and your participation in Pastor Youcef’s defense will lead to a posi... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by Jay Sekulow | 2:49 PM Nov. 4, 2011
Setting the Record Straight – Pastor Youcef’s Life Still Hangs in the Balance
This article is co-written by Jordan Sekulow, ACLJ Executive Director. As you know, we have been working on an international case involving life and death – the case of Youcef Nadarkhani – a Christian pastor in Iran who faces the death penalty because of his faith. In recent weeks, there have been many confusing reports promoted by Iran on Pastor Youcef’s conviction and death sentence. Let’s set the record straight once and for all. ACLJ attorneys have confirmed the acc... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by Matthew Clark | 12:08 PM Oct. 6, 2011
Saving Christian Pastor, Your Voice is Being Heard
As Jordan has said, last week almost no one had heard about Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, who faces execution for being a Christian in Iran, but now – in large part due to your efforts – Pastor Youcef’s story is being told. His case has been broadcast throughout major international media, and American leaders have taken aggressive steps to put pressure on Iran to release Pastor Youcef. Speaker of the House John Boehner said Pastor Youcef’s situation is “distressing for... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by Jordan Sekulow | 1:38 PM Oct. 5, 2011
New Contradictions and Lies from Iran
Today, there are new disturbing and conflicting falsehoods being spread by Iranian state-funded Press TV. The latest report from this Iranian controlled media states that the Judiciary Chief Mohammad-Javad Heshmati of the Gilan Province, where Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani’s apostasy conviction originated, stated today that “Youssef Nadar-Khani has been charged with a crime and is in a prison based on an arrest warrant issued against him. . . . There has been no execution order.... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by Jordan Sekulow | 11:35 AM Oct. 4, 2011
Iran Takes Note of Efforts to Save Pastor – Spreads Lies
It is clear that our efforts to put international media and political pressure on Iran to release Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani – who is facing execution for his faith – are having a tremendous impact. The Iranian government has taken note of these efforts and has reacted by spreading lies about Pastor Youcef in an attempt to sway international attention from this horrific human rights abuse. Over the last few days, we have reported that Iran’s semi-official news agency ... Continue Reading