While there is no timeline set for the new trial, early reports indicated there were problems associated with the initial investigation of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani. He was arrested and imprisoned in October 2009 for protesting a decision by the government requiring that his son study the Qur'an.

The conviction came in 2010, and the appeals have been languishing in the courts ever since. His case has drawn international attention, says Voice of the Martyrs Canada spokesman, Greg Musselman. The pressure has been intense and may be doing some good. "The Ayatollah Khomeini is getting involved with this, which is very unusual. The Iranian government is looking for some kind of back door out of this situation."

Additionally, human rights watchdog groups have been sending in petitions on behalf of Nadarkhani since the conviction. The most recent petition, signed by more than 56,000 Americans, came this week from the American Center for Law and Justice. They're asking U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to advocate Nadarkhani's release. The ACLJ is also asking Secretary Clinton to work with the United Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, and other foreign leaders to ensure that this ultimate human rights abuse - the execution of a man for his faith - is not carried out.

Since the apostasy charge brought so much negative attention, it appears the government tried to add a more sinister touch to the case to justify the sentence. Musselman explains that this effort may have backfired. "There have been additional allegations that he's been charged with rape and other crimes that are punishable by death. But the fact that the Supreme Court is getting involved indicates that the Iranian government--because of all the international pressure--is trying to find a way out."

Although the case seems to have had a positive outcome for now, Musselman warns that it's not over yet. "There's still the possibility that he could be executed at any time. It's a very erratic kind of government, so we need to pray for Nadarkhani and his family, and also for the church in Iran that they would continue to be strong, that they would not be intimidated."

MNN