The White House has joined a rising chorus urging Iran not to execute an Iranian Christian pastor for refusing to renounce his religious beliefs.
Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani headed a congregation of some 400 people before he was convicted of apostasy in 2009 and sentenced to death.
The Christian’s crime: abandoning Islam.
In appeals hearings in recent days, the strong-willed clergyman has repeatedly balked at casting aside his faith to save his skin.
“A decision to impose the death penalty would further demonstrate the Iranian authorities’ utter disregard for religious freedom, and highlight Iran’s continuing
