Imprisoned Pastor Saeed Needs Surgery from Injuries

American Pastor Saeed Abedini has been transferred from the murderer ward to a political prisoner ward in Iran's deadliest prison Rajai Shahr.

Concerns about his deteriorating health condition are growing. Saeed's Iranian family, who was able to visit him recently for the first time in six weeks, said he is getting better meals but is experiencing severe abdominal pain.

Saeed sustained internal injuries from the beatings he received early on in his imprisonment. He was denied medication until recently.

The prison doctor said he is concerned about his internal injuries and recommended surgery, according to the American Center for Law and Justice. However, since meeting with the doctor, Saeed has still not received the surgery.

"There is a glimmer of comfort to know that my husband has been transferred out of the murderers' ward, but my heart aches to know the pain he continually suffers and that his injuries necessitate surgery," his wife, Naghmeh, said..

"As a family, it is difficult to be so far away and unable to comfort him in his pain. Though we are encouraged by the transfer to the new ward, such a small step is far from an unconditional release where Saeed is reunited with our family. While this development is welcomed, we desperately await his return home," she said.

The ACLJ is urging the U.S. government to make Pastor Saeed's freedom a priority.

"When the Obama Administration refused to even ask for Pastor Saeed's release during negotiations with Iran, we not only lost a critical opportunity for his freedom but effectively insulated Iran from ever feeling the need to free this U.S. citizen," the ACLJ said.

Sign the American Center for Law and Justice's petition to free Saeed Abedini here.