American Pastor Saeed Abedini: 300 Days in an Iranian Prison

By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

WASHINGTON D.C. (ANS) -- July 23 marks the 300th day of American Pastor Saeed Abedini's imprisonment in Iran.

Saeed Abedini

According to a story by Jordan Sekulow for the American Center for Law and Justice, (ACLJ), nearly a year ago, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard raided the home of Abedini's parents in Tehran and imprisoned him solely because of his faith.

The ACLJ commented, "On account of that same faith, he faced a bogus trial and was convicted and sentenced to a lengthy prison term in Iran's brutal Evin Prison. He has been subjected to beatings and harassment which have caused internal injuries necessitating medical treatment."

Suffering from an internal injury in his stomach, Abedini has needed medical attention for some time. On July 20 2013, he was taken to a private hospital in Tehran for treatment. For the first time, he was examined by a physician and prescribed medication for injuries he sustained from the beatings he endured by prison guards.

On two past occasions, ACLJ said, the 33-year-old Abedini has been taken to the local hospital only to be sent home without examination of or treatment for his injuries. This time , authorities proved that they have heard the international outcry for medical attention.

Abedini's wife Naghmeh Abedini responded to this positive step.

She told the ACLJ, "Thank you to all of the individuals who have prayed, written letters, signed petitions, called government officials, run benefit races, tweeted, and shared Saeed's story. Thank you to all the government officials from around the world who have stood for my husband. Iran has listened to your pleas. While I am encouraged that Saeed is finally getting medical care, the fight is not yet over. It has been a difficult 300 days - 300 days of torment simply because Saeed loves Jesus Christ. I am hopeful Iran will do the just and honorable thing and release Saeed."

The ACLJ commented, "We are pleased that Iranian authorities have taken this important step to see that Pastor Saeed is no longer denied access to necessary medical treatment."

The group added, "It is our hope that the Iranian regime will take additional steps to correct their wron gdoings by giving his case a fair and impartial review in the court of appeals, where his case is currently pending. A fair and impartial review must result in a decision that continuing to hold Pastor Saeed is a grave violation of Iran's Constitution and its international obligations."

While Abedini has received medical treatment, he continues to pay a price for his Christian faith daily through his imprisonment.

The ACLj said, "We hope that this recent update out of Tehran indicates that Pastor Saeed - a U.S. citizen - will receive just treatment in the coming days and weeks. Most importantly, we hope to see Iranian officials release him so he can return to the United States where he can make a full recovery in his family's care."

For more information go to www.aclj.org or www.SaveSaeed.org