American pastor sentenced to 8 years in Iran

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

American pastor sentenced to 8 years in Iran

AP foreign, Monday January 28 2013

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.

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Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/10631974

[pipoman]

1. Thank goodness for the First Amendment in the US

and the establishment clause..this seems so medieval and arcane..1431-ish..

[Laochtine]

2. It's not like the fundies in America

Would ever try to stop a mosque from being built.

[potone]

3. Of course they would.

But no one would be sentenced to prison for trying to do so, let alone for having private services or prayer meetings in people's homes, and those are major differences.

[Laochtine]

4. I'd agree if all things

Were equal in both countries, but they're not. Did he know about Iran's laws?
I'm not a big fan of culture destroying proselytizing.

I'd also like to see America's laws be followed in the freedom of and from religion,
but we seem to give one certain religion special privileges all the time in this country