HALLELUJAH: Iranian Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani acquitted of apostasy and released from prison

OK this is freaking awesome:

CBN NEWS – The Iranian pastor sentenced to death for refusing to recant his Christian faith has been released from prison and is with his family, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

CSW sources report that Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani was acquitted of apostasy Saturday. During proceedings, the court found him guilty of evangelizing Muslims and sentenced him to three years in prison, time he has already served.

Nadarkhani was arrested in 2009 for challenging required Islamic instruction for children. He was sentenced to death in 2010 for apostasy after refusing to renounce his Christian faith.

Pastor Nadarkhani has been in prison for nearly three years. But a swell of international pressure and numerous campaigns to release the pastor during the past few years has kept heat on the Iranian government to release him.

During his scheduled court appearance Saturday, Nadarkhani was expected to face new charges, but instead he was allowed to go home.

“CSW is delighted to learn of Pastor Nadarkhani’s release after a long incarceration,” Mervyn Thomas, CSW chief executive, said. “We commend the Iranian judiciary for this step, which is a triumph for justice and the rule of law.”

“While we rejoice at this wonderful news, we do not forget hundreds of others who are harassed or unjustly detained on account of their faith,” he added.

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