American Pastor Saeed Released from Solitary Confinement, Returned to General Prison Population

After more than a week, including his 33rd birthday, spent in the “small dark hole” of solitary confinement, American Pastor Saeed Abedini has once again been returned to the main prison population in Ward 350 of Evin Prison.

Our sources in Iran have confirmed that Iranian authorities returned Pastor Saeed to his cell in Ward 350 yesterday.

This is a critical development and does raise hope after a very discouraging week. It was believed that Pastor Saeed may have faced 20 days or more in solitary confinement. Pastor Saeed described the first time he spent in solitary confinement, some 200 days ago when he was first imprisoned for his Christian faith, as some of the worst days he has ever faced. Days felt like years he said.

The severity of his medical condition remains a concern as he began complaining of symptoms of kidney issues before he was placed in solitary confinement.

Pastor Saeed, a U.S. citizen, had been confined to solitary since April 29th along with nine other prisoners in a retaliatory response to fellow prisoners’ protest of Iran’s lack of medical care for Pastor Saeed and others.

It is unknown how many of the 10 prisoners that were placed in solitary confinement have been returned to the political prisoner ward of Evin.

We are hopeful that Pastor Saeed’s early return to the general population of Ward 350 is a sign that international pressure on Iran is beginning to have an effect.

Pastor Saeed’s wife, Naghmeh, responded:

His release from solitary is a direct result of the multitudes praying. I am relieved my husband is out of solitary, but still am deeply concerned about Saeed's health. While this is a small victory, I am still demanding justice be done and that Saeed be released.

More than 575,000 people from all across the world have signed a petition for his release. International media, world leaders, and governments including the European Union and United Nations have raised his case. Now, over 50,000 people have written him letters at SaveSaeed.org.

All of this has led to unparalleled pressure on the Iranian regime. The more pressure is placed on Iran – the more Iran is put on notice that the world is watching its unconscionable human rights abuses – the regime is forced to take action.

We will keep you updated with new information as we are able.