Hamid Pourmand update. Iran must be moderating: he didn't get the death penalty. (Actually the reason why he didn't is most likely because of all the international attention that has been focused on this case.) "Iran Sentenced Protestant clergyman to three years in prison," from Christians of Iraq, with thanks to Emergency Room:
Tehran - A Tehran military court sentenced Hamid Pourmand, an Iranian Protestant clergyman, to three years in prison. Reverend Pourmand converted to Christianity 25 years ago and was serving as an army colonel until his arrest. He was found guilty of deceiving the Iranian armed forces by not declaring when he acquired officer rank that he was a convert from Islam to Christianity. Under the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran, it is illegal for a non-Muslim to serve as a military officer.During his trial, Pourmand's attorney produced several documents in which his client's military superiors had acknowledged years ago that he was a Christian. He had even been excused by his commander from observing the Muslim month of fasting, an exemption granted only to non-Muslims. Never the less, the court ruled that Colonel Pourmand was guilty of giving false testimony and producing falsified documents. Its verdict came during the second and final hearing of his military trial that had begun in late January.
Colonel Pourmand was arrested in September of last year during a raid against a meeting of the Assembly of God, a Protestant Church in which he serves as a pastor.Initially, it was feared that the charge of 'military espionage' might lead to a death sentence. He was later charged with 'apostasy', which under Iran's Criminal Code carries the death penalty, and 'proselytising'.
Following the Court's decision, Nina Shea, director of the Washington's Center for Religious Freedom, called on the Iranian government to immediately release him.
"This is a shocking travesty of justice, even by Iran's meagre standards," Ms Shea said....
"Hamid Pourmand," Ms Shea added, "is serving hard prison time for peacefully exercising his right to free conscience under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."...
UPDATE: I'm told this is an old story. The original is undated, and it came to me as if it were news. I will keep you posted.
I wonder how long he'll survive in prison. Not long I'm sure, and another life lost in the endless struggle with evil.
"Hamid Pourmand," Ms Shea added, "is serving hard prison time for peacefully exercising his right to free conscience under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."
Unfortunately, Islamic countries do not recognise the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They did sign a joke called the Islamic (or Muslim, not sure) Declaration of Human Rights.
This is an excellent example of how inconsistent, capricious, and cruel Islamic societies treat dhimmis. Muslims like to present an image of consistently fair, just treatment of Christians under their domination but it is clear that brutality and whim drive Islamic conduct toward non-muslims (and any Muslim who dares become labelled as an "infidel"). It goes without saying that Hamid Pourmand was not secretive about his beliefs with his military superiors. Since a muslim can never be accused of making a mistake when a non-muslim is nearby to take the blame, Pourmand is punished. Very illuminating story.
I will notify Spencer when this guy is killed.