Written by Don Byrd
A Christian pastor jailed in Iran has been released, according to Associated Press.
A statement by the U.S. Commission of International Religious Freedom says it welcomes the release of Youcef Nadarkhani and urges Iran to free other “prisoners of conscience.”
…International rights groups said he faced the death sentence for refusing to renounce his Christian faith after he converted from Islam as a teenager.
Nadarkhani has been imprisoned since 2009. Last year, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom expressed concern for him, calling the court proceedings “A sham,” “contrary to Iranian law and international human rights standards.”
In February of this year, the White House announced solidarity with Pastor Nadarkhani and called on Iran to release him.
