Amnesty puts pressure on Iran to release pastor

Amnesty International has urged the Iranian authorities to release a Christian pastor at risk of execution for refusing to renounce his religion.

Yousef Nadarkhani, whose trial ended yesterday, is facing a possible death sentence if convicted, despite the fact that apostasy is not criminalised in Iranian law.

His lawyer told Amnesty International he is expecting a verdict within a week.

Nadarkhani would have the right to appeal against any conviction and sentence to the Supreme Court.