White House Has No Statement on Trial of American Citizen in Iran

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney was asked today about American Pastor Saeed Abedini who has been abused and faces trial in Iran for his Christian faith on Monday.  He was asked whether the President has been “kept apprised” of the American citizen’s situation.  Carney responded that he did not have a statement about Pastor Saeed’s imprisonment in Iran, but that he would “take the question.”

The transcript of the question and answer is below and video is above:

Q The American pastor that’s being put on trial in Iran, Saeed Abedini -- has the President been kept apprised of his situation?  He’s supposed to be going before Iran’s “hanging judge” and do you have a statement on this case?

MR. CARNEY:  I don’t have a statement.  I’ll have to take the question.  The President is obviously updated on a variety of issues with regards to Iran, but I don’t have anything specific for you on that.  I’ll take the question.

We urge President Obama to strongly condemn the imprisonment and trial of this American citizen for charges based on his Christian faith.  We await the President’s statement and hope that he will not only call for Pastor Saeed’s release but that he will take direct action to bring this American citizen to safety.  No one, especially an American citizen, should face imprisonment or worse merely because of his religious beliefs.