Mehdi Dibaj, was imprisoned by the government of Iran in 1984 on charges of "apostasy," since he had converted from Islam to Christianity. The penalty for this crime according to Islamic law was death

Rev Mehdi Dibaj's execution was ordered by the Iranian Revolutionary Court following his trial on 3 December 1993. A convert from Islam, Rev Dibaj is 59 years old and has been imprisoned for ten years, two of which were spent in solitary confinement without light. He has been subjected to a number of mock executions and was repeatedly tortured.

Rev Dibaj's execution order came from Branch No7 of the Punitive Court 1 of Sari 7 (File no: 1690169 K7, Verdict No: 1766172): The court verdict stated that : "... the apostate was born a Muslim before his apostasy and as per Islamic law if he reaches maturity and voluntarily chose blasphemy (non Islamic religion or discard Islam) and so on he should be given the option to repent or be killed.

The verdict continued, "Because in adulthood and choice of Kofr (blasphemy) and non-repentance and insistence on the choice of non-Islam which the accused is the best example of and he (Rev Dibaj) insist on his belief on non-Islam with reliance on the document of the above mentioned Fatwah and documents in the primary opinion he is sentenced to execution."

The Iranian Government has stated that there is religious liberty in the country and that no one suffers in Iran for their beliefs. Only a few days before Rev Dibaj's trial, Frank Field MP received a letter from the Mohammad Safaei, Deputy Head of Mission at the Iranian Embassy in London which stated that, "Iranian Christians, like other religious minorities in Iran, enjoy the full rights and privileges to all Iranian citizens by the constitution. They are perfectly free to engage in their social, cultural, and religious activities and face no obstacles."

Revd. Mehdi Dibaj delivered his own written defence to the court. In a powerful statement, this devout church leader declared: "Life for me is an opportunity to serve Him, and death is a better opportunity to be with Christ. Therefore I am not only satisfied to be in prison for the honour of His Holy Name, but am ready to give my life for the sake of Jesus my Lord and enter His kingdom sooner, the place where the elect of God enter everlasting life, but the wicked to eternal damnation."

"1would rather have the whole world against me but know that the Almighty God is with me, be called an apostate but know that I have the approval of the God of glory.

Rev Dibaj accepted the court's verdict and decided not to write a letter protesting against the sentence. Instead he declared his will in a statement to the Court that conveys his unshakeable faith and his commitment even unto death.

Rev Dibaj's will states, 'I, Christian prisoner, Mehdi Dibaj, Son of Hassan, accept the court verdict with joy and peace. Please:

1 Expedfte the process of carrying out the sentence.

2 Submit my body to Babol Medical College for their medical use.

3 Allow the cross to remain around my neck

4 Allow Holy Communion to be administered to me before execution by two Iranian Christian clergymen.

He also asked that his belongings be donated to the church and "give my children into the hands of God who is able to keep them safe so that they grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ."