We still have little information from Iran about Brother Youcef. His lawyer is in the appeals process right now, and he is being kept in solitary confinement. There is not official date for his sentence to be carried out.

Brother Youcef was imprisoned when he objected to his local government instructing teachers to teach all children Islam, including those from Christian families. He went to the school that his two sons, 8 and 6 years old, were attending and protested this based on the Iranian constitution, which allows for freedom to practice religion. As a result, the secret police brought him before the Political Tribunal in Rasht, Iran on October 12, 2009. At that time he was arrested, charged for protesting, and has been in prison ever since. Later the charges changed to evangelism to Muslims and apostasy – a crime punishable by hanging. His wife was also imprisoned and released after months in prison.

He was sentenced on September 22 of this year, but the verdict was not officially filed with the Iranian court system until about a month ago. This was probably an act of intimidation to the family and other Christians. We have received word that some of the Iranian believers have been permitted to leave the country to escape this persecution.

Brother Behrouz Sadegh-Khandjani, another Iranian believer and minister, has been charged similarly to Brother Youcef, and he faces the same penalties if convicted.

Please continue to lift the believers in Iran up in your prayers.