Imprisoned Boise pastor's wife talks about her husband's first day on trial in Iran
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Jennifer Auh reports on the 1st day of the Boise pastor trial in Iran. Video by IdahoOnYourSide.com
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Trial has officially begun for the Boise pastor, imprisoned in Iran. We talked to legal experts and Pastor Saeed Abedini's wife about what happened on the first day of the trial.
Saeed's Wife Naghmeh Abedini said her husband's lawyer in Iran, thinks this will be a quick trial, and he will be sentenced, as early as next week.
In response to reports that Pastor Saeed Abedini was granted bail, Saeed's wife said it's a quote, "lie by the Iranian media."
The prosecutor formally charged Pastor Abedini with attempting to undermine the Iranian government and Muslims, through the House Church Movement.
The American Center of Law and Justice said it was far from a fair trial. "The lawyer was notified there would be a trial a week before, that’s a very limited amount of time to prepare for a defense,” said Tiffany Barrans, ACLJ International Legal Director.
Barrans said Abedini wasn't even able to see his lawyer, until just 24 hours, before the trial.
Naghmeh said she hasn't seen her husband, since June of last year. "I do have a lot of faith, but my mind has wandered on how the sentencing will look like,” she said, “We've heard different things, from 5 years to 20 years to the death penalty.”
According to Naghmeh, her husband raised more than $100,000 to build an orphanage in Iran. She said Saeed spent time in Iran to help orphans, not undermine the Iranian government.
"Many people in history stand up for what they believe in, no matter what the cost,” said Naghmeh, “Interestingly enough, the court date happened to be on Martin Luther King Jr. Day."
Abedini's family and ACLJ said they would like to see the President and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, come out with strong statements, backing Pastor Abedini and calling for his release.
They said time is running out, and they hope Saeed Abedini is released, before he is sentenced.
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