Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
RASHT, IRAN (ANS) -- ASSIST News Service has learned that the written ruling from the Iranian Supreme Court 
has finally been delivered to Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani's attorney.
has finally been delivered to Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani's attorney.According to Jason DeMars of Present Truth Ministries
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Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani (Photo courtesy Present Truth Ministries) |
He told ANS: "We have not seen a translation yet, but Iranian sources are telling us that it does not annul the death sentence. According to one source the Supreme Court has agreed with the verdict 'as it is based on fatwas of Ayatollahs Khomeiny, Khamenei and Makarem Shirazi.'"
DeMars explained that a fatwa is a ruling concerning Islamic law. He stated that Ayatollah Khomeiny
was the first Supreme leader of Iran, and is considered the father of the 1979 Iranian Revolution
, Ayatollah Khamenei
is the current supreme leader, while Ayatollah Shirazi is one of the most influential religious teachers in Iran.
DeMars went on to say: "The source revealed, 'While agreeing with the death sentence, the Supreme Court pointed out procedural flaws and is asking the lower court to re-examine the case. This is the only binding point of the ruling.'"
He added: "It has been asked, 'Is there a guarantee that Youcef will not be executed between now and the time of the re-examination?' According to one Iranian source it seems there is no such guarantee."
DeMars continued: "It appears that although the written ruling upholds the death sentence, the judges would like clarification from the lower court that Brother Youcef truly was a Muslim prior to becoming a Christian. If he was, and does not recant, then he must be executed. However if he was not, the verdict of the lower court is not appropriate for this case."
Demars further stated that according to the written verdict of the lower court, Youcef said that he never really believed or genuinely practiced Islam.
"He says he was simply born into a Muslim family but did not accept it himself," DeMars said.
DeMars explained that a fatwa is a ruling concerning Islamic law. He stated that Ayatollah Khomeiny
was the first Supreme leader of Iran, and is considered the father of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei is the current supreme leader, while Ayatollah Shirazi is one of the most influential religious teachers in Iran.DeMars went on to say: "The source revealed, 'While agreeing with the death sentence, the Supreme Court pointed out procedural flaws and is asking the lower court to re-examine the case. This is the only binding point of the ruling.'"
He added: "It has been asked, 'Is there a guarantee that Youcef will not be executed between now and the time of the re-examination?' According to one Iranian source it seems there is no such guarantee."
DeMars continued: "It appears that although the written ruling upholds the death sentence, the judges would like clarification from the lower court that Brother Youcef truly was a Muslim prior to becoming a Christian. If he was, and does not recant, then he must be executed. However if he was not, the verdict of the lower court is not appropriate for this case."
Demars further stated that according to the written verdict of the lower court, Youcef said that he never really believed or genuinely practiced Islam.
"He says he was simply born into a Muslim family but did not accept it himself," DeMars said.
"Despite this statement the death sentence was still applied. After re-examing this point the judges in Rasht have the freedom to decide to (either) execute him, release him, or to hold another trial.
"At this point, the most likely outcome appears to be a re-trial later this year, perhaps in the fall. It is important to remember that the Supreme Court did not annul the verdict that was based upon the fatwas of the Supreme Leader. Brother Youcef remains under the death sentence at this time."
DeMars stated that he wanted believers around the world to know "how encouraged we are at Present Truth Ministries by the developments in Iran.
"At this point, the most likely outcome appears to be a re-trial later this year, perhaps in the fall. It is important to remember that the Supreme Court did not annul the verdict that was based upon the fatwas of the Supreme Leader. Brother Youcef remains under the death sentence at this time."
DeMars stated that he wanted believers around the world to know "how encouraged we are at Present Truth Ministries by the developments in Iran.
"We believe we are beginning to see the answers to your prayers on behalf of our Brother and his family. We know that the Devil walks about as a roaring lion, seeking who he can devour. Resist him in the faith, and stand before the Lord for brother Youcef. Keep writing letters, speaking to your elected officials and the representatives of Iran in your country.
"Most importantly, keep bringing your requests to God, for He is able to do far more than we can even ask or think."
Michael Ireland is Senior Correspondent for ANS. He is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB UK, a British Christian radio station. While in the UK, Michael traveled to Canada and the United States, Albania,Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany,and Czechoslovakia. He has reported for ANS from Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Jordan, China,and Russia. Michael's volunteer involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- 'Michael Ireland Media Missionary' (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International of P.O.Box 1649, Brentwood, TN 37024-1649, at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International where you can donate online to support his stated mission of 'Truth Through Christian Journalism.' If you have a news or feature story idea for Michael, please contact him at: ANS Senior Reporter
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