There's been a very troubling
development in the case of American Pastor Saeed Abedini, a U.S. citizen
imprisoned in Iran because of his Christian faith.
According to a release from Jordan
Sekulow of the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), Abedini's family
members in Iran say he has been moved from Evin Prison in Tehran to Rajai Shahr
Prison in Karaj. That's an even more dangerous prison where he faces
life-threatening conditions and treatment.
A member of Abedini's family in Iran
arriving at Evin Prison for a regular weekly visit was told that Abedini has
been moved to this prison outside of Tehran - about an hour-and-a-half drive
away.
The family member traveled to Rajai
Shahr Prison and was told that Abedini is imprisoned there and not allowed any
visitors.
The ACLJ said the unexplained and
abrupt transfer comes as turmoil and anti-American feeling intensifies inside
Iran.
Anti-American sentiment has been on
full display as hardline opponents of Iran's President Rouhani's historic
outreach to the United States took to the streets to mark the anniversary of
the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Iran in 1979.
In protests, crowds chanted
"death to America." That's in direct opposition to Rouhani's promise
of moderation.
The ACLJ has confirmed that Abedini
is now in one of the most dangerous wards of Rajai Shahr Prison. There
prisoners are held who are incarcerated for murder and rape.
In 2005, the ACLJ said, Loes Bijnen,
a Dutch Diplomat from the embassy in Tehran, described Rajai Shahr prison.
"Rajai Shahr is the place where
political prisoners who are seen as a nuisance, are stowed away. Going to Karaj
is a severe punishment. Once in there one stops to be a human being. One is put
out of sight, even of human rights activists and the press. In Rajaï Shahr,
political prisoners have to share cells with dangerous criminals like
murderers, rapists and drug addicts who don't hesitate to attack their cell
mates. They have nothing to lose: many of them are condemned to death anyway.
Murders or unexplained deaths are a regular occurrence."
The ACLJ said transfer to this
prison is a deeply disturbing development and can only be viewed as a move that
puts Abedini's life directly at risk.
President Obama called Iranian
President Rhouani in September - urging him to release Abedini.
The ACLJ said this new development
requires President Obama's intervention. "He must speak out now - directly
and forcefully - to save Pastor Saeed's life. Pastor Saeed's life is in grave
danger."
There's wide bipartisan support for
a critical resolution in the U.S. Senate calling for Abedini's release.
No comments:
Post a Comment