Iran: Pastor Released From Jail

Iranian authorities have released Yousef Nadarkhani, the Christian-convert pastor who previously had been sentenced to death on a charge of apostasy.

Reports from Tehran indicate that Nadarkhani was acquitted of all charges against him today in a court that was ordered into session by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

Nadarkhani was arrested in September of 2010 and charged with “apostasy”, “inviting Muslims to convert to Christianity”, “setting up a secret church in his home” and “expressing blatant opposition to Islam.” He had been in jail since then.

The 33-year-old pastor and father of two converted to Christianity at the age of 19 and, at the time of his arrest, he was leading a small Christian congregation in Rasht at what was called the Church of Iranians.

Earlier, Nadarkhani’s lawyer had reported that his client’s case had been forwarded to Ayatollah Khamenei for consideration.