Contradicting an AKI report on Friday that was noted on Religion Clause, Christian News Today reported yesterday that Iran's Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence for apostasy imposed by a lower court on Christian pastor Yousef Nadarkhani. Nadarkhani converted from Islam to Christianity at age 19 and became the pastor of the small evangelical Church of Iran, part of a house church network. The case has been remanded to the lower court in the town of Rasht, and Nadarkhani has been asked to repent and renounce his conversion. Also contradicting the earlier report, Christian News Today says that Nadarkhani was arrested after protesting a government decision to teach Islam to Christian students in schools.
Meanwhile, Nadarkhani's lawyer, Mohammad Ali Dadkhah says he has been sentenced to 9 years in jail and a ten year ban on practicing law or teaching at a university for "actions and propaganda against the Islamic regime." He has 20 days to appeal.
