The Iranian pastor sentenced to death for apostasy has been released and is at home with his family.

Yousef Nadarkhani of the Church of Iran was acquitted of apostasy at a hearing on Saturday. He was found guilty of a second charge, evangelising Muslims, and sentenced to three years' imprisonment, but released because he has already served this time.

Pastor Nadarkhani, a 35-year-old father of two, was arrested in his home city of Rasht in 2009 soon after questioning the Muslim monopoly of RE teaching for children. He was sentenced to death for apostasy in 2010, a decision that was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2011.

The ecumenical religious rights charity Christian Solidarity Worldwide said the pastor's release was "a triumph for justice and the rule of law".

Above and home page: Pastor Youcef's wife and sons run to greet him as he is released from prison. Photo: CSW