Iranian Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani to Remain in Prison

December 20, 2011

Iranian pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, who faces a potential death sentence for his Christian faith, will remain in prison for at least four more months and perhaps up to a year, according to conflicting reports, Baptist Press reports. The American Center for Law and Justice reported Dec. 16 that the local Iranian court had ordered Nadarkhani's verdict delayed at least four months; meanwhile, Middle East religious freedom organization Present Truth Ministries reported the delay would last a year. The goal of keeping him in prison is "to use whatever means necessary to cause him to recant and turn to Islam," Present Truth Ministries said.