Senators call for pastor's release
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November 3, 2013 |
Idaho Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo were
joined by their Senate colleagues Rand Paul
(R-KY) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) in authoring a
resolution calling on the government of Iran to
immediately release Pastor Saeed Abedini and all
other individuals detained on account of their
religious beliefs.
Pastor Saeed Abedini, a pastor and resident of
Boise, was seized by the Iranian government and
has been sentenced to eight years in prison for
allegedly spreading Christianity. He was in Iran
visiting family and working to build orphanages.
“I am, once again, calling for the release of
Pastor Abedini,” said Risch. “The government of
Iran has repeatedly violated human rights by
imprisoning and abusing Pastor Abedini whose
only crime is peacefully exercising his faith.
It is past the time for the government of Iran
to release Pastor Saeed Abedini.”
“Idahoans have demonstrated their passion for
his release based on his strong contribution to
extolling human rights and dignities,” Crapo
said. “We agree with concerns for his safety and
call for his immediate freedom from captivity.”
Abedini is one of three Americans being held in
Iran. Abedini was placed under house arrest in
June, 2012, put in prison in September and
sentenced to Evin prison for eight years in
January, 2013. His appeal to the Tehran appeals
court was denied in August, 2013.
His wife, Naghmeh, and children live in the
Boise area. |
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