Foreign Office Minister concerned by Iran鈥檚 appalling treatment of Christian pastor
Pastor Youcef Nardakhani, a Christian pastor from Rasht in Iran, was tried, convicted and sentenced to death for apostasy in September 2010.
Commenting on reports that Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani鈥檚 death sentence will be upheld, Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, Alistair Burt said:
鈥淚 am very concerned by reports that Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani鈥檚 sentence to death on alleged apostasy charges will be carried out imminently.
鈥淎s I have said before, it is absolutely clear that Pastor Nadarkani is being persecuted simply for following his faith. His treatment by the Iranian authorities is appalling and contravenes Iran鈥檚 obligation to respect freedom of religion.
I call again on Iran to overturn Pastor Nadarkhani鈥檚 sentence and release him.鈥�