A U.S. pastor imprisoned in Iran was reportedly beaten again last week as his wife testified before Congress to help secure his freedom.
Saeed Abedini received an eight-year prison sentence in Iran for his efforts to organize Christian house churches in the country, though his participation occurred years before his charges. He has endured numerous beatings throughout nearly three years of detention that have left him with debilitating internal injuries.
According to the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), the law firm that represents Abedini and his family, he was abused again last week:
Unprovoked, fellow prisoners attacked Pastor Saeed as he attempted to leave his cell, punching him in the face near his left eye and nose. In addition to physically beating the persecuted pastor, prisoners demolished a small table Pastor Saeed used to study and read.
As he was attacked, Pastor Saeed called out for help. Iranian prison guards did intervene and prevent further injury. However, Pastor Saeed suffered injuries to his face—his eyes beaten black and blue. He was able to be seen briefly by a prison doctor, and thankfully he did not receive any broken bones. […]
He is suffering because of his Christian faith, beaten and bruised for the Gospel. Pastor Saeed was able to recount this beating to a family member in Iran who was able to visit him today and see his injuries first-hand.
Saeed’s wife Naghmeh said in a statement: "It is heartbreaking to me and my family that Saeed was again beaten in prison. Saeed’s life is continuously threatened not only because he is an American, but also because he is a convert from Islam to Christianity. It’s time to get Saeed home before it is too late."
Naghmeh told the Washington Free Beacon in an interview last week that U.S. officials currently negotiating a nuclear deal with Iran must do more to secure her husband’s freedom. U.S. negotiators have only discussed Saeed’s case on the sidelines of the nuclear talks with no apparent success.
"I would ask that we do not walk away from the table until we secure the release of Saeed and the other Americans [imprisoned in Iran]," she said.