Iranian-American priest 'sentenced to eight years in jail'
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 27 January 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Iranian-American priest 'sentenced to eight years in jail', 27 January 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5122359b2.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
January 27, 2013
Saeed Abedini is a U.S. citizen.
A U.S. rights group says an Iranian-American Christian priest was sentenced on January 27 to eight years in jail for his religious activities.
The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) said pastor Saeed Abedini, who had been detained in Iran since September, was found guilty of "threatening the national security of Iran" by promoting Christian house churches.
The ACLJ reports that the evidence presented in court was based on Abedini's activities primarily during the early 2000s, when Iran, under then-President Mohammad Khatami, did not consider house churches a threat.
The ACLJ said Abedini was beaten and tortured during his detention.
He will serve his sentence in Iran's notorious Evin Prison.
Abedini was born in Iran, but is now a U.S. citizen.
With reporting by foxnews.com
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
