Johannesburg - Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu on Sunday condemned the possible death sentence for an Iranian pastor who renounced the Islamic faith and converted to Christianity.
“There are no religions that propagate violence, yet many who commit violent acts in the name of religion,” he said in a statement.
“Forcing anybody to renounce his or her faith is an utter violation of our universal human and religious values, and renunciation of God.”
Tutu appealed to Iranian authorities to free Youcef Nadarkhani, who was first imprisoned in 2006 on charges of apostasy and evangelism to Muslims.
Nadarkhani was sentenced to death by hanging in November last year. Following a number of appeal processes, a recent verdict included a provision for annulment of the death sentence should he recant his faith.
Iran recently denied the pastor would be executed. - Sapa