IRAN: OFFICIALS SAY DEATH-ROW PASTOR'S CHARGES NOT RELIGIOUS
October 1, 2011: the charges against an Iranian pastor sentenced to death were not based on religious grounds or his conversion from Islam to Christianity, the Fars news agency reported quoting officials.
Youssef Naderkhani, 32, converted to Christianity in 1998 and headed a small Protestant community in the northern province of Gilan. The unnamed official said the charges against Youssef were not of a religious nature, but claimed instead that he had committed crimes such as 'several rapes and extortions' as well as security breaches. (Sources: Monsters & Critics, 01/10/2011)
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