Prisoner Alert: Youcef Nadarkhani

Last week we asked you to take the time to write Dr. Kiflu Gebremeskel and I am very happy to tell you that 6 more letters were written to Dr. Gebremeskel.  Praise the Lord for your faithfulness to act!!  A big thank you to all of you who did write!  Thank you, thank you, thank YOU!  The week before we had 41 letters  written and this past week 6 letters were written!  Thank you to the six of you who took your time to write Dr. Gebremeskel.  The Lord will bless you, as you have blessed him.

This week we would like to ask you to write Youcef Nadarkhani.  A few weeks ago we invited you to write Youcef and we wanted to bring him to your attention again because we believe that next month, in September, his case is going to be re-examined.

Supreme Court Sends Case Back to Lower Court
VOM’s contacts are reporting a new development in the case of Youcef Nadarkhani. His lawyer has finally received the written ruling from the Supreme Court. According to one source, the Supreme Court has agreed with the death sentence verdict. However, the court “pointed out procedural flaws and is asking the lower court to re-examine the case.” The judges would like clarification as to whether Youcef was truly a Muslim prior to becoming a Christian. If Youcef is determined to have been a “true” Muslim, and he does not recant his Christian faith, the death sentence will stand.

Death Sentence Annulled Temporarily
On Sunday, Iran's supreme court has overturned a death sentence handed down to Youcef Nadarkhani.

"The supreme court has annulled the death sentence and sent the case back to the court in Rasht, asking the accused to repent," Mohammad Ali Dadkhah said.

The court’s decision will lift the death sentence only if Youcef recants his Christian faith. It is not clear what will happen if he does not recant.

Youcef’s lawyer was also sentenced on Sunday to nine years in jail and a 10-year ban on practicing law or teaching at university for "actions and propaganda against the Islamic regime".

Please take time today to write a letter of support to Youcef.  Click here to visit Prisoner Alert to write your letter.