Imprisoned American Pastor Saeed Abedini Transferred, Denied Medication in Prison
- Kristin Wright Open Doors USA
- Published Nov 13, 2013
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Conditions are worsening for Saeed Abedini, an American pastor imprisoned in Iran.
Earlier this week Saeed’s father attempted to visit him in prison, bringing blankets, personal belongings, and medications prescribed by Saeed’s doctor to treat internal bleeding. He was denied entry at the prison, however, and told that his son could not access any of the medication or materials he brought with him.
Recently transferred from Evin Prison in Tehran, Saeed is now confined in the overcrowded Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj, Iran. Once built to house 5,000 inmates, Rajai Shahr now houses more than 22,000 prisoners. According to Jordan Sekulow at American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ), Saeed now shares a cell with violent criminals.
In September President Obama called for Pastor Saeed’s release in a phone call with Iran’s new president, Hasan Rouhani. Earlier this year Secretary of State John Kerry also called for the pastor’s release. Pastor Saeed has served one year out of the eight year sentence his currently facing. An American citizen, Saeed was in Iran starting an orphanage when he was arrested and sentenced.
Sekulow encourages action on Saeed’s behalf. “Please join us in prayer for Saeed’s health and protection,” he says. “Take action in urging our nation’s leaders to take action to directly engage diplomatically to save Pastor Saeed’s life. Sign the petition to immediately intervene to #SaveSaeed at BeHeardProject.com.”