Naghmeh Abedini, a Boise woman who has advocated for the release of her husband Pastor Saeed Abedini from an Iranian prison, recently told supporters over email of being emotionally, psychologically and physically abused by her husband, and has stepped back from public advocacy, according to a Christianity Today article.
According to the article, Naghmeh Abedini claimed her husband’s reportedly abusive behavior worsened with his imprisonment.
In two statements provided to the Statesman, Naghmeh Abedini said she regrets sending the emails and a prominent group aiding her efforts pledged to continue to seek her husband’s freedom.
“I was under great psychological and emotional distress. I am now taking time off to heal and to rest and to spend much needed time with my kids,” Naghmeh Abedini said. “I would appreciate for those who care about Saeed and our family to give us time for rest and healing and to respect our privacy. I will continue to pray for my husband’s release and advocate for him as he suffers in an Iranian prison for his Christian faith. I would also ask others to join me in continuing to pray for his release.”
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Representatives of the American Center for Law and Justice indicated that they respect Naghmeh Abedini’s wishes for privacy and would continue to work to help Saeed Abedini get released.
“In recent days, Naghmeh — Pastor Saeed’s wife — has revealed that she is dealing with some very serious personal issues inside her family. She has asked for privacy and prayer. We are respecting her request. The ACLJ will not have any comment on the personal issues that she is addressing.
“What we are focused on is this: bringing home an American pastor who has been wrongly imprisoned in Iran because of his faith. We know that Pastor Saeed remains in grave danger in prison where he continues to be beaten and psychologically abused by Iranian guards and remains in need of medical care.”
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