Saeed Abedini
Pastor freed by Iran reportedly refuses marriage counseling
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 16, 2016
(RNS) "Once the abuse has been addressed, then that will open the way for us to get marriage counseling on the more common marital issues," his wife said.
Iranian pastor’s wife files court papers against recently freed husband
By Timothy C. Morgan — January 27, 2016
(RNS) Naghmeh Abedini filed domestic legal papers to ensure her children stay in Boise, where she is living.
Saeed Abedini says he was tortured in Iranian prison
By Reuters — January 26, 2016
Abedini told Fox News that while in Tehran's Evin prison he was beaten by interrogators, was left with an al-Qaida prisoner who tried to kill him and watched people screaming and crying while taken to be hanged.
Pastor who was freed by Iran rests with his family at Billy Graham retreat center
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 21, 2016
(RNS) Iranian-American pastor Saeed Abedini arrived in Asheville, N.C., on Thursday afternoon and was greeted by his parents, his sister, and the Rev. Franklin Graham.
Some Jewish-American groups welcome Iran deal but remain wary
By Reuters — January 18, 2016
They remain mindful of Iran's history of being a troublemaker in the region and concerned that a Jewish-American prisoner was not released.
Jailed pastor Saeed Abedini among prisoners released by Iran
By David Gibson — January 16, 2016
(RNS) His cause had been vocally championed by U.S. Christians, but recent revelations by Abedini's wife that he had abused her for years may complicate his homecoming.
Why imprisoned pastor’s wife kept her marital abuse a secret — until now
By Timothy C. Morgan — November 20, 2015
(RNS) Naghmeh Abedini's accusations raise the question: Why do evangelical women wait so long before reporting spousal abuse?
US pastor held in Iran overlooked in nuclear deal, his wife laments
By Reuters — July 16, 2015
Iranian-American Saeed Abedini was sentenced by an Iranian court in 2013 to eight years in prison for allegedly compromising Iran's national security by setting up home-based Christian churches there.
Southern Baptists pray for ‘favorable’ Hobby Lobby ruling
By Adelle M. Banks — June 11, 2014
BALTIMORE (RNS) “God, we ask for a favorable, favorable ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States for the cause of religious liberty,” prayed the Rev. Ronnie Floyd, incoming president of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Obama highlights religious freedom in National Prayer Breakfast speech
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — February 6, 2014
(RNS) Facing criticism that he does not give religious freedom enough attention, President Obama devoted most of his National Prayer Breakfast address to the issue, naming people imprisoned for their beliefs and calling out specific nations.
Congress pushes for release of American pastor imprisoned in Iran
By Katherine Burgess — November 21, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) The Iranian government sentenced Abedini to eight years in prison after convicting him of “undermining” the government by spreading his religious beliefs.
Imprisoned Iranian-American pastor gets push from State Dept.
By Adelle M. Banks — March 26, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Secretary of State John Kerry is calling for the release of an Iranian-American minister from a Tehran prison, a welcome step for advocates who had accused the State Department of being "AWOL" on the case.
Critics: State Department is ‘AWOL’ on Iran’s religious freedom
By Adelle M. Banks — March 15, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Religious freedom activists scolded the State Department for not appearing at a hearing Friday on Iran’s treatment of religious minorities and called for greater government involvement in securing the release of people imprisoned there for their faith.
Page 1 of 1
