Pastor Nadarkhani to face charges Iran

Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani has been in prison for more than 1,000 days.

Iran (MNN/ACLJ) ― The Iranian pastor who has spent more than 1,000 days in prison will be headed by to court. Iranian authorities are demanding Youcef Nadarkhani be back into court in Iran September 8, 2012 at 9:00 AM to answer for "charges brought against him."

According to the American Center for Law and Justice, it's unclear if the charges are new or are connected to his apostasy conviction. Nadarkhani was convicted and sentenced to death for apostasy: becoming a Christian. When Iranian officials demanded that he recant his faith in Jesus Christ or die, he responded, "I cannot." He has been illegally imprisoned and separated from his wife and two boys since 2009.

The ACLJ has obtained a copy of the official Iranian court summons demanding his appearance.

What is clear is that his new court date will come after more 1,060 days spent in prison for nothing but his faith in Jesus Christ--an imprisonment that violates Iran's own constitution.

The ACLJ is continuing to work with contacts in Iran, the State Department, and foreign diplomats to pressure Iran for the release of this persecuted pastor. The Tweet for Youcef campaign continues to grow, now reaching more than 2.8 million Twitter accounts around the world with daily information and updates about Pastor Youcef.

Continue to pray for Nadarkhani and other Christians who are being persecuted for their faith. The church is growing in Iran, which is why the government is taking action against Christians.