Wife, Christian leaders respond to pastor’s release

By Michael Haverluck - Posted at One News Now:

After being released by the Islamic Republic or Iran along with three other American citizens Saturday in a prisoner swap for seven Iranians, Pastor Saeed Abedni’s wife and Christian leaders have expressed a multitude of feelings concerning the move.

Abedini, who began his flight home Sunday after a stop in Switzerland, along with Washington Post Reporter Jason Rezaian and former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati — the fourth released citizen Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari also reportedly left —was held in an Iranian prison for three years, often enduring torture for his Christian faith.

He converted to Christianity in Iran before moving to the United States in 2005 and become a citizen in 2010, but was arrested in 2012 while visiting Iran to help build a nonsectarian orphanage. Iranian officials said he was a national security threat because of his faith in Jesus Christ and sentenced him to eight years in jail.

Abedni’s wife, Naghmeh Abedini, was jubilant after learning about her husband’s long-awaited release from Iranian prison.

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