Iranian Court Orders The Death Penalty For Christian Pastor Convicted of Apostasy

The Iranian Sharia courts have given the world a steady stream of horrific judgments — using the pretense of a legal system to mete out religious-based and perfectly medieval punishments. They have now added a fresh outrage. Despite worldwide condemnation, a trial court in Iran has issued its final verdict that Youcef Nadarkhani, 34, be put to death. His crime? Converting to Christianity. During the country’s Sharia law, such apostasy is punished by death.

We have previously discussed this case and the demand that Nadarkhani renounce his faith or face execution. Nadarkhani was arrested two years ago and many in Iran have demanded his death as demanded by the Koran. Under Islamic law, he was given three chances to recant to save his life.

Various countries have demanded his release, but Nadarkhani can now be executed at any time.

The “court” found that Nadarkhani had in fact practiced Islam from age 15 (considered adulthood under Islamic law) to 19 when he converted. Notably, another court found that he had not practiced Islam as an adult but was still guilty of apostasy because he was born into a Muslim family.

There appears a crackdown across Iran against Christians generally.

Source: IBTimes