U.S. asked to intervene for Christian citizen jailed in Iran

January 18, 2013 - A U.S. citizen imprisoned in Iran for his Christian faith could face execution if the Iranian government is not pressured to release him, warned an international religious-freedom advocacy group. Saeed Abedini, a U.S. citizen of Iranian origin who converted to Christianity was arrested in September on a trip to his native country. The trial of the 32-year old pastor, accused of undermining national security, will begin on Monday under Abbas Pir-Abassi, a judge of the revolutionary court accused of human rights violations for the harsh sentences handed down to dissidents. “As more individuals and governments around the world take notice of Pastor Saeed’s case, the pressure on Iran to release him and stop violating religious liberty will increase,” said Jordan Sekulow, executive director of the Washington-based American Center for Law and Justice. In a post on the law center’s website, Sekulow explained that immediate action is essential, “as the Iranian regime is clearly bent on rushing through a sham trial that leaves counsel unprepared and in the dark about the nature of the charges against their client.” Abedini was earlier warned for proselytizing and carrying out religious activities. The Iranian Constitution recognizes the rights of some religious minorities, including Christians, but also punishes with death Muslims who change religion.