Iranian Christian convert released

A Christian convert who received a 10-year prison sentence for abandoning Islam has been released less than a year into his sentence.

Mostafa Bordbar was arrested last December 27 during a Christmas celebration with other Christians and in June sentenced for undermining national security in founding Christian house churches. In handing down the 10-year penalty, the court took into account an earlier charge of apostasy levelled against him in 2009.

In October, when Bordbar was allowed to present his case before an appeals court in Tehran, the entire sentence was set aside.