Adventist News Network - IRLA Joins Call for Pastor’s Release from Iranian Prison

By Ansel Oliver, News.Adventist.org

The International Religious Liberty Association has joined more than a dozen religious groups and human rights advocates calling for the release of American pastor Saeed Abedini, who was imprisoned in Iran in September for his religious beliefs.

Abedini, who periodically traveled to his native Iran to establish and manage an orphanage, was arrested and convicted of endangering national security. The Christian Post last week reported that Abedini -- a member of a non-denominational Christian church -- was helping Christians in underground churches. He is now being tortured and forced to recant his Christian faith, the Post reported. . . .

Abedini, a 32-year-old father of two, converted from Islam to Christianity in 2000. He since traveled to Iran to manage an orphanage in the northern city of Rasht. The American Center for Law and Justice has established a petition for Abedini’s release and will meet with UN Human Rights officials next month. . . .

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