HRANA News Agency – On June 28, 2011, Iranian Supreme Court confirmed Yosef Nadarkhani’s death penalty and refused his objection to the sentence issued by the lower court.

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Yosef Nadarkhani has been charged with apostasy at the age of nineteen and converting to Christianity.Iranian judicial authorities also state that Yosef Nadarkhani has preached Christianity for years.

Accordingly, Gilan Province Court, Branch 11, has sentenced Yosef Nadarkhani to death penalty on charges of apostasy and preaching Christianity.

Yosef Nadarkhani has been locked up in Rasht Prison since October 12, 2009.If the death penalty is carried out, it will be the first official hanging for apostasy and conversation to Christianity in the last twenty years.

On December 3, 1990, Pastor Hussein Sodmand was hanged in Mashhad Prison for refusing to give up his Christian faith.Pastor Sodmand is the only priest who has been officially executed by the Islamic Judiciary Branch for apostasy and conversation to Christianity.

Further reports will be released when more details become available.