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Posted: 01/25/2013 at 9:23am
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American Pastor Jailed in Iran May Be Missing
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CBN News
American Pastor Saeed Abedini, who has been jailed in Iran since September for his faith, may be missing, according to the American Center for Law and Justice.
Abedini is a U.S. citizen has been charged with attempting to undermine the Iranian government through his work starting house churches in the Islamic Republic.
The judge in his case, known as the "hanging judge," told Abedini's lawyer that his client was moved to a different part of the prison so he could receive medical treatment.
However, guards at the prison turned his family away when they attempted to visit him Thursday morning. The guards told them they didn't know where Abedini was taken.
Sign the petition to free American Pastor Saeed in Iran.
The ACLJ has been working with the pastor's family and attorney to see him released from prison. They are urging the Obama administration and the State Department to get involved in the matter.
A spokeswomen for the National Security Council told CBN News the administration is monitoring Abedini's case when asked about the American pastor.
Abedini's wife shared more about her husband's imprisonment, saying he is 'counting it all joy' to be suffeing for Christ, on Newswatch, Jan. 23. Click play to watch.
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"We remain concerned about U.S. citizen Saeed Abedini, who is detained in Iran on a charge related to his religious beliefs. We condemn Iran's continued violation of the universal right of freedom of religion, and we call on the Iranian authorities to release Mr. Abedini. The State Department is in close contact with the Abedini family and is actively engaged on this case," NSC Spokeswomen Bernadette Meehan said.
Abedini was only allowed to attend the first day of his trial, which began Monday. He has been barred from the proceedings and denied bail.
The ACLJ called the closed proceedings "a clear and continued blatant violation of human rights."
"The continued lies and demand for more testimony in a month makes it clear that Iran has no intention whatsoever of releasing Pastor Saeed, allowing to him to return to the U.S., or even issuing a verdict any time soon," ACLJ Executive Director Jordan Sekulow said.
The ACLJ is calling on the State Department to speak out publicly on Abedini's behalf. Even before Thursday's disappearance, Sekulow said it was "absolutely critical at this stage for the State Department to stop refusing to publicly call for Pastor Saeed's release..."
Also this week, a family friend unsuccessfully attempted to finalize Abedini's bail. Officials even warned the friend that if he didn't stop helping the family his home would be raided and he would lose his job.
Meanwhile, the trial continues in the pastor's absence. This week, prosecution has been bringing testimony against Abedini and has also barred his lawyer from the courtroom.
They specifically questioned a lay church leader about Abedini's role in his conversion to Christianity.
"This testimony today is further proof that Iran was just trying to silence the media and has no intention of releasing my husband anytime soon," Abedini's wife, Naghmeh, said. "We need to continue exposing Iran's violations of Saeed's human rights until my husband is safely back in my arms."
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Topic: American Pastor Jailed in Iran May Be Missing
