Iran News Falsely Reports Youcef Not Charged with Apostasy

The Fars News Agency, the semi-official news agency of Iran, has issued false reports concerning the charges and conviction for which Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani faces execution.

Earlier today Farsnews.com reported that Pastor Youcef was not convicted for his faith or converting others to Christianity but for “illegal acts” and a threat to public safety, here.

Later, the same Iranian news agency reported that Pastor Youcef had not been convicted of apostasy but instead is a “Zionist and has committed security crimes,” here (English Translation).

In the two years since Pastor Youcef’s arrest, the only charged leveled against Pastor Youcef in court was apostasy. This is the charge on which the Iranian Supreme Court ruled.

The original Iranian Supreme Court verdict, translated from its original Farsi by the Confederation of Iranian Students in Washington, provides that Youcef Nadarkhani was “convicted of turning his back on Islam.” These documents, which were previously provided to and cited by CNN and Fox News, are below.

Youcef Nadarkhani Iranian Supreme Court Verdict (Farsi)

Youcef Nadarkhani Iranian Supreme Court Verdict (English Translation)