Mohammad Ali Dadkhah Photo: Compass Direct News

The main defense lawyer for Youcef Nadarkhani, an Iranian pastor who is appealing a death sentence, may be facing imminent imprisonment for defending the rights of Iranians, reports Amnesty International. Mohammad Ali Dadkhah, a prominent human rights activist, had been sentenced in July to a nine-year prison sentence and a 10-year ban on legal practice and teaching. On April 28, he learned that an appeals court has upheld the sentence. Charges against him include "membership of an association seeking the soft overthrow of the government" and "spreading propaganda against the system through interviews with foreign media."

Mohammad's imprisonment will leave Pastor Youcef, who was found guilty of apostasy and sentenced to death in September 2010, without legal representation. Mohammad has previously stated that if the sentence against him were carried out, no attorney would be willing to represent Pastor Youcef for fear of being imprisoned or disbarred for representing the persecuted pastor (for more on Youcef's case, click here).

Pray for those in positions of authority in Iran. Pray that they will come to know Jesus Christ, and that they will act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). Pray that God will work powerfully in the lives of Youcef and Mohammad. Ask God to be near to their families and loved ones. Pray that many more in Iran will come to know the Good News.

For more on Iran's persecuted Church, please visit the Iran Country Report.