President Obama Again Demands Iran

President Obama Again Demands Iran Release Imprisoned American Pastor Saeed Abedini
By Jeremy Reynalds, Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service (jeremyreynalds@gmail.com)  
WASHINGTON D.C. (ANS. March 21, 2015) -- President Obama has again called for American Pastor Saeed Abedini's release from an Iranian prison.
Abedini has been imprisoned in Iran for nearly two-and-a-half years because of his Christian faith.
A story by Jay Sekulow for the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) said President Obama's statement comes during the Iranian holiday of Nowruz. As part of its celebration of the new year, Iran often gives a reprieve or even frees some prisoners.
President Obama said, “The spirit of family is deeply woven into all of the rich cultural traditions of the Nowruz holiday. It is a time for reuniting and rejoicing with loved ones and sharing hopes for the new year. Today, as families across the world gather to mark this holiday, we remember those American families who are enduring painful separations from their loved ones who are imprisoned or went missing in Iran.”
He continued, “(Abedini) must be returned to his wife and two young children, who needlessly continue to grow up without their father. . . .”
President Obama said he is committed to bringing American citizens home.
He said, “(I) call on the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to immediately release Saeed Abedini, Amir Hekmati and Jason Rezaian, and to work cooperatively with us to find Robert Levinson so that they all can be safely reunited with their families as soon as possible.”
The ACLJ said it joins with the President in urging Iran to free Abedini and the other imprisoned or missing Americans.
Abedini has not committed any crime, the ACLJ said.
The story continued, “Pastor Saeed ... remains imprisoned - suffering immensely from injuries sustained in prison beatings - for his Christians faith. This week, for the third straight year, Pastor Saeed was forced to miss his son Jacob's birthday. He deserves to be free. He deserves to be home in America with his family.”
The ACLJ said it appreciates President Obama’s support, adding that engagement such as this continues to put pressure on Iran to release Adedini.
Sekulow, the chief counsel for the ACLJ said in his article, “We urge the Obama Administration, as it literally sits across the negotiating table from Iran, to do all within its power to bring Pastor Saeed home. No American should be left behind to suffer unjustly in an Iranian prison simply because of his Christian faith. It is time for Iran to comply with its international obligations to respect human rights and free Pastor Saeed.”
The ACLJ represents Abedini’s wife Naghmeh, and their two young children.
For more information visit www.BeHeard.com
Photo captions: 1) Rebekka and Jacob Abedini. 2) A protest on behalf of Saeed Abedini. 3) Naghmeh and Saeed during happier times.
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