Stenberg Condemns Iran for Christian Pastor’s Death Sentence; Promotes Twitter Campaign

Feb. 21, 2012 - PRLog -- Nebraska U.S. Senate candidate, Don Stenberg, today announced his support of a Congressional Resolution condemning the Government of Iran for its continued persecution, imprisonment, and pending death sentence of a Christian Pastor.

“The United States should stand in solidarity with freedom loving people everywhere in condemning the Government of Iran and demand they immediately release Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani,” Stenberg said.

According to published reports, Youcef Nadarkhani, a Christian pastor in Iran, has been charged, convicted and sentenced to death for becoming a Christian. He was arrested in his home in 2009 for questioning Islamic instruction of Iranian children. He was convicted in September 2010 and sentenced to death and has now been held for 861 days.

“He has been illegally imprisoned and separated from his wife and two boys since 2009. When Iranian officials demanded that he recant his faith in Jesus Christ or die, he faithfully responded, ‘I cannot.’ It's time to turn up the pressure on Iran. The Congressional Resolution introduced by Rep. Joe Pitts that demands the immediate release of Pastor Nadarkhani, would show that America will not tolerate religious persecution anywhere in the world,“ Stenberg said.

Stenberg called on Nebraskans to add their voice of support by participating in a social media campaign to free Pastor Nadarkhani.

“The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) has been at the forefront of a global campaign to save the life of Pastor Nadarkhani The ACLJ has launched a massive social media campaign to generate support for Pastor Nadarkhani. The Twitter campaign is now reaching 305,415 Twitter accounts in over 180 countries and involves nearly 1,500 individuals who are sending one Tweet a day on behalf of Pastor Nadarkhani. I have joined the Twitter campaign and urge all Nebraskans who are committed to religious liberty to join me,” Stenberg said.

“Pastor Nadarkhani is still alive today because of international pressure on Iran – people worldwide raising their voices, demanding that his life be spared,” Stenberg said.

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Mr. Stenberg served as Nebraska Attorney General from 1990-2002 and was elected Nebraska State Treasurer in 2010. GOP U.S. Senate nominee in 2000 against Ben Nelson. Genuine, lifelong conservative. Supports 2nd Amendment, pro-life, balanced budget.