News story

Foreign Secretary calls on Iran to overturn Iranian Church leader's death sentence

Foreign Secretary William Hague has spoken following reports that Iranian Church Leader Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani faces a death sentence after refusing an order to recant his faith.

• From: Foreign & Commonwealth Office and The Rt Hon William Hague
• Published: 28 September 2011

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Speaking today the Foreign Secretary said:

“I deplore reports that Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, an Iranian Church leader, could be executed imminently after refusing an order by the Supreme Court of Iran to recant his faith. This demonstrates the Iranian regime’s continued unwillingness to abide by its constitutional and international obligations to respect religious freedom. I pay tribute to the courage shown by Pastor Nadarkhani who has no case to answer and call on the Iranian authorities to overturn his sentence.”

Published 28 September 2011