Youcef Nadarkhani was born on 1977 and is an Iranian Christian pastor who was sentenced to death in Tehran as being a Christian having been born into Islam.
24 Facts About Youcef Nadarkhani
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In early September 2012, Youcef Nadarkhani was acquitted of apostasy, but found guilty of evangelizing Muslims, though he was immediately released as having served prison time.
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Youcef Nadarkhani was again arrested and beaten on 22 July 2018.
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Youcef Nadarkhani was released in February 2023, but faced new charges in July 2023.
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Youcef Nadarkhani originally had no known religion Nadarkhani said that he converted to Christianity as a child having never practiced Islam.
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Youcef Nadarkhani is a member of the Protestant evangelical Church of Iran.
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Youcef Nadarkhani is married to Fatemeh Pasandideh, and they have two sons, ages 9 and 7.
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Youcef Nadarkhani was first taken into custody in December 2006, on the charges of apostasy from Islam and evangelism to Muslims.
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Youcef Nadarkhani was released two weeks later, without being charged.
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In 2009, Youcef Nadarkhani discovered a recent change in Iranian educational policy that required all students, including his children, to take a course in Quran study in school.
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Youcef Nadarkhani's protest was reported to the police, who arrested him and brought him before a court on 12 October 2009, on charges of protesting.
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On 18 June 2010 Youcef Nadarkhani's wife was arrested and charged with apostasy.
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Youcef Nadarkhani was sentenced to life imprisonment, and placed in prison in Lakan, Iran, which is just south of their hometown of Rasht.
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The charges against Youcef Nadarkhani were later changed to apostasy and evangelism, the same charges he was initially arrested under in 2006.
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The delivery of Youcef Nadarkhani's written verdict was delayed by Iran's security officials.
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Iranian officials seemed reluctant to execute Youcef Nadarkhani, and kept delaying his sentence.
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The recent written verdict included a provision for annulment should Mr Youcef Nadarkhani recant his faith.
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Youcef Nadarkhani was acquitted of apostasy at a retrial on 8 September 2012.
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Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has done nothing more than maintain his devout faith, which is a universal right for all people.
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Youcef Nadarkhani's lawyer said that he believed that Youcef Nadarkhani would not be executed.
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Youcef Nadarkhani has security crimes and he had set up a house of corruption.
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In early September 2012, Youcef Nadarkhani was acquitted of apostasy, sparing him the death penalty.
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Youcef Nadarkhani was taken back into custody on Christmas Day 2012.
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Youcef Nadarkhani was beaten, his son was tasered, and Nadarkhani was taken to prison.