Skip to main content

Youcef Nadarkhani Has Not Been Executed; ACLJ Denies Rumors

By Katherine Weber , Christian Post Reporter
March 5, 2012|11:55 am

The American Center for Law and Justice's sources in Iran confirmed Saturday that Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani is in fact alive, and rumors that he was to be executed over the weekend were false.

Photos surfaced on the Internet Saturday, allegedly showing a blindfolded Nadarkhani facing execution by hanging. These photos are outdated and false, the ACLJ reported Saturday.
Although Nadarkhani is still alive, the ACLJ does still believe that Iranian courts have issued an execution order. In the past, Iran has not informed the public of an execution, oftentimes dropping the prisoner's executed body on the family's doorstep.
Persecution organizations continue to push the importance of international pressure on Iran in helping to secure Nadarkhani's release, ascertaining that international pressure has helped keep the pastor alive.
Over the past two weeks, the United States has taken an assertive stance on Nadarkhani's case. On Feb. 23, both the White House and the U.S. Department of State issued statements urging the evangelical Christian's immediate release.
On March 1, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a three-page resolution titled H. Res. 556, which declared Iran to be in violation of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights, and the Iranian constitution.
Other persecution watchdog organizations, including The Voice of the Martyrs, Present Truth Ministries, Open Doors USA, and International Christian Concern have all openly condemned Iran, shedding a crucial light on Nadarkhani's plight.
"[O]ne thing is certain: international pressure has played an integral role in keeping Nadarkhani alive thus far," Aidan Clay, the International Christian Concern's Regional Manager for the Middle East, said in a statement on Feb. 24.
"Now is not the time to lose hope, but to remain ardent in prayer and to fight this injustice by raising as much awareness as possible. Most likely, the Iranian government will listen to nothing else but worldwide condemnation," Clay added. 
Nadarkhani has remained imprisoned in Iran since Oct. 2009, when he was arrested for protesting the teaching of Islam at his children's public school. Since this arrest, Nadarkhani has been charged with apostasy and attempting to evangelize Muslims, and his case has been passed from the Gilan provence's local court to Iran's Supreme Court, and ultimately to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for review.
The international community, as well as Nadarkhani's family, await further information on the status of this execution order.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

COMMIT TO

In the face of widespread insecurity, fear, and hopelessness, our nation desperately needs your prayers. Join us in praying for our nation, that God will heal our land.
Post a Comment
Read more

Pablo reprende a Pedro

Pero cuando Pedro vino a Antioquía, le resistí cara a cara, porque era de condenar. Pues antes que viniesen algunos de parte de Jacobo, comía con los gentiles; pero después que vinieron, se retraía y se apartaba, porque tenía miedo de los de la circuncisión. Y en su simulación participaban también los otros judíos, de tal manera que aun Bernabé fue también arrastrado por la hipocresía de ellos. Pero cuando vi que no andaban rectamente conforme a la verdad del evangelio, dije a Pedro delante de todos: Si tú, siendo judío, vives como los gentiles y no como judío, ¿por qué obligas a los gentiles a judaizar? Nosotros, judíos de nacimiento, y no pecadores de entre los gentiles, sabiendo que el hombre no es justificado por las obras de la ley, sino por la fe de Jesucristo, nosotros también hemos creído en Jesucristo, para ser justificados por la fe de Cristo y no por las obras de la ley, por cuanto por las obras de la ley nadie será justificado. Y si buscando ser justificados en Cristo, tamb...
Post a Comment
Read more

El quebrantamiento de Pedro

If you are unable to see the message below, click here to view .     Leer | Lucas 22.54-62 11 de noviembre de 2014 El orgullo de Pedro era un obstáculo para los propósitos de Dios. Cristo buscaba a un siervo-líder para que guiara a los creyentes una vez que Él regresara al cielo. El antiguo pescador era un impulsivo sabelotodo, pero el Señor vio su potencial a pesar de su arrogancia. Por eso, el gran Artesano utilizó una filosa herramienta —la humillación— para quebrantarlo. Cuando las palabras del Señor estuvieron en conflicto con la opinión de Pedro, el discípulo reprendió temerariamente a Jesús. El Salvador respondió con una virulenta reprimenda, tanto para silenciar como para enseñar ( Mt 16.21-23 ; Jn 13.5-8 ). Inclusive, Pedro incumplió su promesa de morir por el Señor cuando lo negó tres veces ...
Post a Comment
Read more