{"id":1399,"date":"2011-10-21T12:10:15","date_gmt":"2011-10-21T16:10:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/faithandjustice\/?p=1399"},"modified":"2011-11-29T15:22:21","modified_gmt":"2011-11-29T20:22:21","slug":"jay-sekulow-setting-the-record-straight-pastor-youcef%e2%80%99s-life-still-hangs-in-the-balance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/2011\/10\/jay-sekulow-setting-the-record-straight-pastor-youcef%e2%80%99s-life-still-hangs-in-the-balance.html","title":{"rendered":"Jay Sekulow: Setting the Record Straight – Pastor Youcef\u2019s Life Still Hangs in the Balance"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>As you know, we have been working on an international case involving life and death<\/a> – the case of Youcef Nadarkhani – a Christian pastor in Iran who faces the death penalty because of his faith.<\/p>\n

In recent weeks, there have been many confusing reports promoted by Iran on Pastor Youcef\u2019s conviction and death sentence. Let\u2019s set the record straight once and for all. ACLJ attorneys have confirmed the accuracy of this article and the following procedural history of Pastor Youcef\u2019s case with his lawyer, Mohammad Ali Dadkhah.<\/p>\n

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has been held in an Iranian Prison since 2009 on charges of apostasy, abandoning Islam. He was first tried and convicted in 2010, and sentenced to death by hanging. In November 2010, this ruling was upheld by the 1st Court of the Revolutionary Tribunal. In December 2010, Youcef\u2019s case was referred to Supreme Court in the city of Qom, Iran. On June 12, 2011, the third chamber of the Supreme Court in Qom upheld the apostasy conviction and the death sentence.\u00a0 The Supreme Court stated that Pastor Youcef \u201chas been accused of breaking Islamic Law . . . he was raised a Muslim in a Muslim home . . . [but] he denied the prophecy of Mohammad and the authority of Islam [and] has stated that he is a Christian and no longer Muslim.\u201d While affirming the validity of apostasy mandating death, the Supreme Court provisionally returned the case to the state court of Gilan Section 11 for further investigation as to whether Pastor Youcef was a Muslim between the age of majority (15 years) and the age of his conversion (19 years). The Supreme Court said, \u201cif it can be proved that he was a practicing Muslim as an adult and has not repented, the execution will be carried out.\u201d
\n\u00a0
\nOn September 25, 2011, the state court of Gilan Section 11 began four days of hearings.\u00a0 On the first day, a panel of five judges stated that Pastor Youcef had abandoned the faith of his ancestors and must face execution unless he repents. During the following three days of hearings, when asked to repent from his Christian faith, Pastor Youcef stated, \u201cRepent means to return. What should I return to? To the blasphemy that I had before my faith in Christ?\u201d The judges replied, \u201cTo the religion of your ancestors, Islam.\u201d To which he replied, \u201cI cannot.\u201d The state court of Gilan Section 11 has not issued its written verdict.<\/p>\n

Not true: Pastor Youcef is a convicted rapist, Zionist, and national security threat:<\/strong><\/em> ACLJ attorneys have confirmed with Mohammad Ali Dadkhah, Pastor Youcef\u2019s lawyer, that the only charge Pastor Youcef faced is apostasy. Apostasy is the only charge mentioned in the Supreme Court\u2019s verdict issued last June. You can view the original verdict written in Farsi here<\/a> and the English translation of the verdict\u00a0here<\/a>. Mr. Dadkhah told media that he \u201conly defended [Youcef] against the death sentence in the case of his charge of apostasy. The charge the court staff announced that I defended during several different court sessions was apostasy and no other charge.\u201d Prosecutors have not brought new charges against Pastor Youcef, despite the Iranian media statements to the contrary.<\/p>\n

Not true: The Supreme Court recently granted Pastor Youcef a retrial and annulled his sentence:<\/em><\/strong> Statements by government-financed media in Iran have twisted Pastor Youcef\u2019s case to make it appear that the Supreme Court recently granted Pastor Youcef a new trial. According to Mr. Dadkhah, the Supreme Court has not reviewed Pastor Youcef\u2019s case since June 2011, when the third chamber of the Supreme Court in Qom upheld the apostasy conviction and the death sentence, but provisionally returned the case to the state court of Gilan Section 11. The case is presently before the state court, and according to Mr. Dadkhah, the court has asked that the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, offer his opinion on Pastor Youcef\u2019s case.\u00a0 We are awaiting the Supreme Leader\u2019s opinion and the written decision of the state court.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Not true: International attention has not influenced Pastor Youcef\u2019s case: <\/strong><\/em>International attention is keeping Pastor Youcef alive. Mr. Dadkhah has specifically requested that the ACLJ engage specific international voices, including the United Nations and Pope Benedict XVI, on behalf of Pastor Youcef. With the case before the Supreme Leader, Mr. Dadkhah said international pressure is essential now more than ever. This Wednesday, exactly two weeks after the ACLJ submitted its request<\/a> for U.N. Special Rapporteur Ahmed Shaheed to intervene on Pastor Youcef\u2019s behalf, Mr. Shaheed publicly asked<\/a> before the United Nations\u2019 General Assembly\u2019s third committee for Iran to release Pastor Youcef.\u00a0 We applaud the Special Rapporteur for his report and ask for his continued involvement in Pastor Youcef\u2019s case. We hope that Mr. Shaheed\u2019s comments and findings will spur further action by the international community, which can no longer remain silent about Iran\u2019s abuses.<\/p>\n

The fact is that Pastor Youcef’s life still hangs in the balance. And, while we’re encouraged that that international pressure continues to mount to demand that Iran release Pastor Youcef, this is a critical time. Your voice is being heard. Nearly 200,000 Americans have signed on to our petition demanding the release of Pastor Youcef<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Our efforts will continue to provide information about this critical case, keep it in the media spotlight, and do all that we can to ensure that Pastor Youcef is released.<\/p>\n

Please keep Pastor Youcef and his family in your prayers. We will continue to post updates about Pastor Youcef in this blog and on the ACLJ website here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jay Sekulow<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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He is also Chief Counsel of the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ). Jay Sekulow is one of the leading defenders of constitutional rights and religious liberties in the United States. Over the past 25 years, Jay Sekulow has amassed an unparalleled record of accomplishment, arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court on 12 occasions. His aggressive litigation strategy before the Supreme Court has led to many landmark First Amendment victories. In his first case before the Supreme Court, Jews for Jesus, Jay Sekulow secured the right of religious groups to pass out tracks in airports. In Mergens, Jay Sekulow successfully protected the right of students to form Bible clubs and prayer groups on public school campuses. In Lamb\u2019s Chapel, Jay Sekulow cleared the way for churches to have equal access to public facilities in the same way that other groups are permitted to utilize those facilities. In the Bray and Operation Rescue cases, Jay Sekulow protected the free speech rights of pro-life advocates to be free from criminal prosecution for conveying their pro-life message. In McConnell v. FEC, Jay Sekulow protected the right of young people to engage in the political process by donating to the campaign of their choice. In Pleasant Grove, Jay Sekulow paved the way for governments to be able to display Ten Commandments monuments, and other monuments of their choosing, in public parks. Through the ACLJ, Jay Sekulow engages the political, legal, and cultural battles facing America today. He routinely works with Members of Congress, advising them on proposed legislation and representing them in critical legal matters. Jay Sekulow has also testified before Congress on the constitutionality of proposed legislation. Also, in addition to being a successful Supreme Court advocate, Jay Sekulow is a highly respected broadcaster. Jay Sekulow is the host of Jay Sekulow Live! which airs each weekday on over 850 radio stations nationwide, in addition Sirius and XM satellite radio. He brings insight and education to listeners daily through this national call-in radio program. He is also the host of the ACLJ This Week, the ACLJ\u2019s weekly television program. Jay Sekulow regularly appears on major media outlets, including FOX News, CNN, ABC, CBS, and NBC, where he is sought out for his vast experience in constitutional law and his unique insight into many of the pressing legal and political issues facing America today. He is frequently quoted in the nation's leading newspapers and often contributes opinion editorials to national publications. Jay Sekulow has also published numerous law review and other scholarly articles. Jay Sekulow has received numerous honors for his groundbreaking legal work in the area of free speech and religious liberties. The Legal Times has named Sekulow one of \u201cThe 90 Greatest Washington Lawyers of the Last 30 Years\u201d and the National Law Journal has twice named Sekulow one of the \u201c100 Most Influential Lawyers\u201d in the United States. In addition, TIME Magazine listed Jay Sekulow as one of the \"25 Most Influential Evangelicals\" in America. Jay Sekulow\u2019s legal work in defense of religious liberties and human rights extends beyond the United States, having founded the ECLJ in Strasbourg, France, which maintains consultative status with the United Nations. He has also opened offices in Pakistan, Africa, and Jerusalem, Israel. Jay Sekulow is a staunch defender of Israel, presenting arguments before the International Criminal Court at the Hague. His efforts in support of Israel\u2019s right to defend itself from terrorist attacks have been commended by Israeli government officials, one official stating, \"Jay was instrumentally-involved in projects that the President of Israel and the Prime Minister put on our national agenda.\" Jay Sekulow also has a passion for educating the next generation of religious liberty advocates. He is a member of the Regent University Law School Faculty as a Distinguished Professor of Law and routinely teaches courses on constitutional law and presents guest lectures. Jay Sekulow has also started educational programs in international human rights law in Strasbourg, France and at Handong University in South Korea. Jay Sekulow is a graduate of Mercer University, earning both a bachelor\u2019s degree and doctor of jurisprudence. Sekulow served on the editorial staff of the Mercer Law Review and graduated cum laude. He later earned a Ph.D. from Regent University, writing his dissertation on American Legal History. Jay Sekulow also serves on the Board of Trustees for The Supreme Court Historical Society in Washington, D.C. Jay Sekulow, ACLJ Chief Counsels full biography and video. Jay Sekulow on Facebook. Jay Sekulow on Twitter. Jay Sekulow on YouTube.","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/author\/jay_sekulow"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1399","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/401"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1399"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1399\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1412,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1399\/revisions\/1412"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1399"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1399"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1399"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}