Iranian Authorities to Execute Pastor for Apostasy

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

By Joseph C. DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent

TEHRAN, Iran (Worthy News)-- A Christian pastor in Iran is slated for execution this weekend.

Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani was convicted of apostasy, a crime that carries the death sentence in the Islamic state of Iran, while his wife was sentenced to life in prison.

Nadarkhani led one of the largest Christian communities in Iran; he was singled-out by authoritiies for helping Muslims turn to Christ; he was finally arrested last October after protesting against the enforced reading of the Qu'ran to Christian children.

Rights activists are petitioning for the release of both Nadarkhani and his wife.