Pastor Nadarkhani

Amid reports that Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani may have been hanged by authorities for his faith, a U.K.-based rights group says sources inside Iran have confirmed he is still alive.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide has learned that Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, who was re-imprisoned on Christmas Day, was released today.

Unjustly imprisoned simply because of his Christian faith, Youcef Nadarkhani remains in prison without defense – and the Iranian government remains without excuse.

It was a bad Christmas for Iranian pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, who has been returned to jail on an earlier charge.

The Iranian lawyer who successfully represented Christian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani in court, leading to his eventual release and acquittal of apostasy, was detained over the weekend and ordered to serve a lengthy sentence in one of Iran's most dangerous prisons.

Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani wrote a letter to all those who supported him and his stand for Christ, "the cause that I defend," following his release after nearly three years of illegal imprisonment for his faith.

Once in a while in the financial and political chaos, there comes a story or two that make one's heart glad.

Immediately after his release from Lakan Prison, Nadarkhani was able to briefly address a crowd of supporters. "Thanks to all who have supported me with prayers,” he said, "I experienced especially the presence of the Lord on my side every time."

Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has been acquitted of apostasy and released, ending a saga that drew international attention and saw him spend more than 1,000 days in jail in the face of a death sentence -- simply for being a Christian.

The Wall Street Journal raised the question yesterday: Why aren't Christians speaking out on behalf of Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, who has been in prison for 1,000 days and is under a death sentence?