BOISE, Idaho (AP) - An American pastor who has been jailed in Iran
since September has been sentenced to eight years in prison, the U.S.
State Department said Sunday.
Spokesman Darby Holladay said the department is calling on Iran to respect Saeed Abedini's human rights and release him.
Earlier this month, Iran's semi-official news
agency, ISNA, quoted Abedini's attorney, Nasser Sarbazi, as saying his
client stood trial in the Revolutionary Court on charges of attempting
to undermine state security by creating a network of Christian churches
in private homes.
The pastor, who is of Iranian origin but lives in Boise, Idaho, has rejected the charges.
"Mr. Abedini's attorney had only one day (Jan. 21)
to present his defense, so we remain deeply concerned about the fairness
and transparency of Mr. Abedini's trial," Holladay said.
Following the court presentation, ISNA quoted
Sarbazi as saying the court would issue its verdict later, and that
Abedini would be allowed to leave Iran and meet his family in the U.S.
after posting bail.
"The promise of his release was a lie," said the
pastor's wife, Naghmeh. "With today's development, I am devastated for
my husband and my family. We must now pursue every effort, turn every
rock, and not stop until Saeed is safely on American soil."
Her comments were provided by the Washington-based
American Center for Law and Justice, which focuses on constitutional and
human rights law around the world. The center is representing the
pastor's family in the United States.
Holladay said the State Department is in close
contact with Abedini's family and actively engaged in the case. Abedini
and his wife have two children.
"We condemn Iran's continued violation of the universal right of freedom of religion," Holladay said.
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