IRAN (WordNews.org) Feb. 23, 2013 – Iranian Pastor Saeed Abedini, imprisoned in Evin, considered one of the worst prisons in Iran, says he has been physically and psychologically abused.
Abedini, a U.S. citizen, is in prison for not denouncing his faith. The 32-year-old details in his letter “the psychological warfare, a year of not seeing my family, physical violence, actions committed to humiliate me, insults, being mocked, being confronted with extremists in the prison who create another prison within the prison walls, and the death threats …”
Abedini said he is being closely watched because he is a Christian.
“But, of course, I can clearly see what is going on and because I want to serve God, I see all these difficulties as golden opportunities and great doors to serve,” he wrote. “There are empty containers who are thirsty for a taste of the Living Water and we can quench their thirst by giving them Jesus Christ.”
He said there are enemies within the prison who try and show him that is faith is empty by pressing nails against his hands and feet.
“They are only waiting for one thing, for me to deny Christ,” wrote Abedini. “But they will never get this from me. This is why the Bible is Truth and they are on the way to destruction.”
At one point, a cellmate attacked Abedini to stop from praising God. “In response,” he wrote, “I hugged him and showed him love. He was shocked.”
Abedini said the Lord has made His presence known within the prison.
“I have often seen the Shining Morning Star in the darkness of this prison and I have seen His amazing and supernatural works.”
He urged readers to see difficult circumstances as “golden opportunities” and look for “the Shining Star in the dark times of your life.”
Abedini’s wife, Naghmeh, told told the American Center for Law and Justice, said her husband’s letter confirms her worst fears about her husband’s living conditions. She described his situation dire and wonders how long he will be able to survive “these horrendous conditions in prison.”
“He continues to face life-threatening abuse at the hands of the Iranian officials simply because of his faith in Jesus,” she said. “These are the dreadful conditions he will continue to face as he serves his lengthy prison sentence in Iran.”
Abedini has been sentence to eight years in prison. Nagmeh said on KLOVE radio that she has not shared that information with her children, who call out to their father daily, waiting for him to come home.
“Saeed will never recant his faith in Jesus – even if it means continued torture and abuse,” she said. “Our primary concern is for his health and well-being with each passing day. We know that while he is very weak physically, Saeed is strong in his faith.”
The ACLJ has launched a campaign seeking Abedini’s release.
To sign a petition
To hear ACLJ’s broadcast
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