http://aclj.org/iran/aclj-iran-convicts-sentences-american-pastor-saeed-to-prison-because-of-christian-faith
(Washington, DC) - The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ),
which focuses on constitutional and human rights law, said today's
action by an Iranian court convicting and sentencing American Pastor
Saeed Abedini for his Christian faith is a travesty that sadly
underscores Iran's brazen violation of international law and a tragic
reminder that Iran is one of the world's worst offenders of religious
freedom.
In an unexpected development in Iran today and without family present,
Judge Pir-Abassi of Branch 26 of the Iranian Revolutionary Court –
known as the "hanging judge" – verbally convicted and sentenced Pastor
Saeed to eight years in prison for threatening the national security
of Iran through his leadership in Christian house churches.
"This is a real travesty – a mockery of justice," said Jordan Sekulow,
Executive Director of the ACLJ, who represents Pastor Saeed's wife and
children living in the U.S. "From the very beginning, Iranian
authorities have lied about all aspects of this case, even releasing
rumors of his expected release. Iran has not only abused its own laws,
it has trampled on the fundamentals of human rights. We call on the
citizens of the world to rise up in protest. We call on governments
around the world to stand and defend Pastor Saeed."
Pastor Saeed and his attorney were permitted to attend just one day of
his trial, which began January 21st. They were barred from attending
and participating in further proceedings. During his imprisonment,
Pastor Saeed has been beaten and tortured raising serious concerns
about his medical condition.
Pastor Saeed's conviction and sentence in the Iranian Revolutionary
Court had to be approved at the very top – The Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Khamenei had to sign off.
The ACLJ represents Pastor Saeed's wife and children who reside in the U.S.
This statement from Pastor Saeed's wife, Naghmeh, after learning about
today's court action:
"The promise of his release was a lie," said Naghmeh. "We should not
trust the empty words or promises put out by the Iranian government.
These false hopes amount to psychological torture. You don't want to
trust them, but they build a glimmer of hope before the crushing blow.
With today's development I am devastated for my husband and my
family. We must now pursue every effort, turn every rock, and not
stop until Saeed is safely on American soil."
ACLJ Executive Director Jordan Sekulow added:
"Here's the troubling reality: we have a U.S. citizen, who has been
beaten and tortured since his imprisonment last fall, is now facing
eight years in Evin Prison, one of the most brutal prisons in Iran. A
harsh sentence in a notorious prison – likely facing life-threatening
torture and abuse at the hands of the Iranian regime - simply because
of his Christian faith."
The ACLJ has been working with the U.S. Government and at the United
Nations to generate support for Pastor Saeed. Both the White House and
the U.S. State Department have condemned Iran and called for Pastor
Saeed's release.
Pastor Saeed, 32, was granted U.S. citizenship in 2010 through
marriage to his American wife. He and his wife, Naghmeh, have two
children, a 6-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son. In 2008, Pastor
Saeed became an ordained minister with the American Evangelistic
Association. Naghmeh and the children reside in the western U.S. The
Iranian government does not recognize his U.S. citizenship and for 3
years he travelled freely back and forth from Iran until this summer
when he was put under house arrest. He was imprisoned in September.
The ACLJ is providing legal representation to his U.S.-based family
and working with various contacts in Iran on his case. Further, the
ACLJ launched an international campaign urging the United Nations, the
U.S. State Department and Congress to get involved and demand Pastor
Saeed's release. The ACLJ also has heard from nearly 250,000 Americans
demanding Pastor Saeed's release.
GOD JESUS SAVIOR