Wife of Boise pastor in Iran jail: 'He talks about beatings'
BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) - A Boise man has been jailed in Iran since September and could soon be facing the death penalty. The pastor is getting ready to make a court appearance before a judge who's been known to hand-out the stiffest of punishments.
Saeed Abedini was captured four months ago accused of preaching Christianity. His wife, Naghmeh, says he was there starting an orphanage.
"It was weeks and weeks before I heard his voice," said Naghmeh Abedini. "He's shared that he really misses the kids and me and really wants to be home. I wanted to tell him we're fighting for him here, but I could because I knew his phone was being listened too."
She has learned more from her husband through written communication.
"He talks about beatings in his letter," said Naghmeh. "He talks about them being cruel one day and the next being nice and offering him candy."
Through all the mental and physical abuse she says Saeed remains hopeful he will be released. He wants to not only to see her, but their children, 6-year-old Rebecca and 4-year-old Jacob.
"They say how many days mommy? I just can't tell them and it's been hard telling them I don't know," said Naghmeh.
She says they don't fully understand what's happening and all they want is their dad back. When asking her what she would say to her husband leading up to his trial...
"I would tell him I'm proud of him," said Naghmeh. "He has hope even through the persecutions and we're all fighting for him. He would be blessed by that."
The trial starts in Iran on Monday. Naghmey has been reaching out to anyone who may be able to help. Idaho's congressional delegation is taking some action. Senators Crapo and Risch sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urging the State Department to do whatever they can to free Abedini.
Saeed Abedini was captured four months ago accused of preaching Christianity. His wife, Naghmeh, says he was there starting an orphanage.
"It was weeks and weeks before I heard his voice," said Naghmeh Abedini. "He's shared that he really misses the kids and me and really wants to be home. I wanted to tell him we're fighting for him here, but I could because I knew his phone was being listened too."
She has learned more from her husband through written communication.
"He talks about beatings in his letter," said Naghmeh. "He talks about them being cruel one day and the next being nice and offering him candy."
Through all the mental and physical abuse she says Saeed remains hopeful he will be released. He wants to not only to see her, but their children, 6-year-old Rebecca and 4-year-old Jacob.
"They say how many days mommy? I just can't tell them and it's been hard telling them I don't know," said Naghmeh.
She says they don't fully understand what's happening and all they want is their dad back. When asking her what she would say to her husband leading up to his trial...
"I would tell him I'm proud of him," said Naghmeh. "He has hope even through the persecutions and we're all fighting for him. He would be blessed by that."
The trial starts in Iran on Monday. Naghmey has been reaching out to anyone who may be able to help. Idaho's congressional delegation is taking some action. Senators Crapo and Risch sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urging the State Department to do whatever they can to free Abedini.
Starting an orphanage in Iran ????  Fellas not exactly the sharpest rock in the pile.....  Exactly how did he think this would end well ?????? id_iot.
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 @Mss Oh God probably told him to do it. If God asked me to jump off a bridge I would. Blind faith. Acts16:25-30 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God" and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of there prison were shaken: and and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28 But Paul cried wht a loud voice, saying Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? You see when you serve an all powerful God as we do you don't disregard what he says. I'm to go to Africa next year, I'm white with blond hair, and blue eyes. My friend Ruby who is also a preacher she is black, and God called her to go to Germany when the Berlin wall fell. You see God calls us to strange places. To do strange things that make no sense to outsiders, but make prefect sense to us. Many were imprisoned and tortured for their faith in days of Jesus. God blessÂ