Wednesday, October 5, 2011

More On Iranian Government's Denying Death Penalty For Pastor Youcef

PressTV has more details on the Iranian government's flat out lies against Pastor Youcef:

“Youssef Nadar-Khani has been charged with a crime and is in a prison based on an arrest warrant issued against him,” Gilan Province Judiciary Chief Mohammad-Javad Heshmati said on Wednesday. 
“There has been no execution order. No conviction at all has been issued yet and it is up to the court to finally decide the verdict after studying his case,” he added. ....
“This individual is guilty and his crime is not attempting to convert others to Christianity, rather his crimes are of a security nature,” he stated. Western media have manipulated the case of Nadar-Khani, a convicted rapist and extortionist in Gilan Province, to wage an anti-Iran publicity campaign by falsely claiming that his criminal conviction his conversion to Christianity and acting as a 'priest.'  



As you know, the Iranian government is doing this in an effort to deflect attention away from the fact that they are going to execute Pastor Youcef and it is not because of "security" crimes, but because he is a Christian! They know that the world is watching them, and they are desperate to shift the attention elsewhere. If you don't believe me, I ask, does this look like "crimes... of security nature" or extortion to you? It's a portion of a letter written by Pastor Youcef on June 2, 2010; in it, he shares the Gospel and why he is not afraid to suffer:
In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I am continuously seeking grace and mercy to you, that you remember me and those who are bearing efforts for his name in your prayers.
Your loyalty to God is the cause of my strength and encouragement.....
Dear beloved ones, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of a few verses, although you might know them, So that in everything, you give more effort than the past, both to prove your election, and for the sake of Gospel that is to be preached to the entire world as well....
Therefore those who are enduring burdens by the will of God, commit their souls to the faithful Creator. Promises that he has given us, are unique and precious. As we’ve heard he has said: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” ....
Have we not read and heard: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Many attempt to flee from their spiritual tests, and they have to face those same tests in a more difficult manner, because no one will be victorious by escaping from them, but with patience and humility he will be able to overcome all the tests, and gain victory....
O beloved ones, difficulties do not weaken mankind, but they reveal the true human nature.....
And as we have known from before, we must beware not to fail, but to advance in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, And consider these bumps and prisons as opportunities to testify to his name. He said: If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 

This is the real reason why Pastor Youcef is in prison and why the Iranian government wants to execute him: because he is a Christian and he won't deny his faith in Christ. Of course, they used the fact that he challenged his children being taught Islam in school as an excuse to arrest him. According to a petition over at Change.org, which you can sign advocating that the Iranian government release Pastor Youcef, "CSW said that violates both the Iranian constitution, which permits parents to raise children in their own faith, and international statutes to which Iran is party, including Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)."

Later, the charge was that Pastor Youcef's was previously of Muslim background, but he was not a practicing Muslim at the time so that can't be used as an excuse against himAs the ACLJ has said, and has been reiterated here several times, "Attempts to stifle the media on sensitive matters are common in Iran, and.... until Pastor Youcef walks free, we need to continue to push for his immediate and unconditional release."

Meanwhile, INContext Ministries reports the following:


3 October - According to an article in Sky News, Pastor Youcef May Still Be Hanged Despite Rumours of Release
Tim Marshall, foreign affairs editor

An Iranian man due to be hanged for converting to Christianity may still be killed despite claims his death sentence has been annulled, Sky News has learned.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide is campaigning on behalf of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani whose case has attracted attention in dozens of countries.

The human rights group has told Sky News the 34-year-old's sentence may have been annulled but fears remain he will be put to death.

A spokesman said: "We've had some reports that there has been a verbal announcement from the court in Iran that the sentence is annulled but we urge caution.

"It's been known that verbal announcements have been directly contradicted by later written statements. We are still calling for international pressure to be kept up."

Sky sources say Nadarkhani was given a verbal assurance last year that he would not be sentenced to death but then was.....
He has been given three opportunities to renounce his Christianity but refused saying: "I am resolute in my faith and Christianity and have no wish to recant."
Additionaly, the American Center For Law and Justice just released an article on Pastor Youcef which says in part:

Iran continues to spread these lies believing that no one has a copy of the original Supreme Court verdict, which we do. While, as the article notes, the charges and verdict have not been “released to the public,” the ACLJ has a copy of the actual verdict from the Iranian Supreme Court (in original Farsi and translated into English), which states that Pastor Youcef is guilty of “turning his back on Islam” and sentences him to “execution by hanging.” This verdict does not mention any other charges other than apostasy.
What is most dangerous is that the state-run press calls him a “convicted rapist.” According to a 2010 State Department report, “rape is a capital offense,” and thus he could still be executed at any time.....
Iran is increasing its rhetoric, continuing to spread lies, and it has been caught in the act. These actions make it clear that Iran is listening, so let's keep speaking....
Present Truth Ministries, a missions-based organization the ACLJ has worked with throughout Pastor Youcef's trial, reports that government officials from Tehran conducted an interview with Pastor Youcef today, inquiring about the conduct of the judges in his trial and the charges filed against him. It is unclear of the purpose for this meeting. We are concerned that Iran could be attempting to put together a case against him, manipulating his own words, in order to prove false new allegations against him.


Please continue to pray for Pastor Youcef and his family.

1 comment:

  1. Grrr, how long has he been in prison, and NOW they come up with these 'new charges'???

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your feedback; it's very important to me. If you have anything to add, please feel free to do so. Just keep the content clean and please be respectful. Thank you.