World Mag - American Pastor Handed Over to 'Hanging Judge'

By Angela Lu, WorldMag.com

Iranian authorities last weekend handed over imprisoned American pastor Saeed Abedini to a revolutionary court judge internationally known for his unfair and harsh sentences. As Abedini’s situation worsens, the U.S. State Department has yet to take action to secure his release, according to the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ). . . .

Tiffany Barrans, ACLJ International legal director, said Abedini’s transfer to Pirabassis is very troubling: “This sends a strong message that they will not even give a semblance of a fair trial—the lawyer can’t even meet his client, he has no access to the file with the official charge, he is not given court hearings—absolutely nothing about it is a fair trial or due process.”

Despite repeated calls to the State Department, the ACLJ has not been able to get the U.S. government to help. Abedini gained U.S. citizenship after marrying his American wife. They reside in Idaho with their two children, ages 4 and 6. Barrans said the State Department has given excuse after excuse for its unwillingness to help—the United States doesn’t have diplomatic relations with Iran; Iran doesn’t recognize Abedini’s dual citizenship; and Americans in another country need to follow that country’s laws. . . .

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