An American pastor that is imprisoned in his homeland of Iran for planting house churches in the country a decade ago has been moved to solitary confinement, reports state.

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), which has been fighting for the release of Saeed Abedini, states that ten prisoners, including the pastor, were moved to confinement after they signed a letter expressing concerns about the lack of medical care in prison. Abedini has been struggling with internal bleeding, but officials advise that he will have to wait several more months to receive assistance.

“That apparently prompted prison officials to retaliate, selecting ten of the prisoners and placing them in solitary confinement,” the ACLJ explains. “Our sources indicate that Pastor Saeed is likely to be beaten again, in private, away from other witnesses and prisoners.”

Abedini’s wife Nagmeh also notes that her husband’s health continues to decline, and that he is no longer allowed to see his parents.

“Saeed has internal bleeding and now issues with his kidneys because of the beatings,” she lamented. “We have no way of finding out about his health [now]. There will be no more visitations allowed and we will have no way of knowing how Saeed is doing.”

“Saeed had previously told his family that when he was in solitary confinement in the past, that was the hardest time in his life. That every hour was like one year and that he was losing his memory and his health was deteriorating quickly,” she continued. “Please pray for his health and healing. Pray for his release. Pray that the Lord would use this for His glory and the salvation of many.”

As previously reported, the pastor recently wrote a letter to his family outlining that one of the reasons he is being denied medical treatment is because Christians are considered “unclean” in the country.

“The nurse would also come to take care of us and provide us with treatment, but she said in front of others ‘in our religion we are not suppose to touch you, you are unclean. Baha’i (religion) and Christians are unclean!’” Abedini outlined. “She did not treat me, and that night I could not sleep from the intense pain I had. According to the doctor’s instructions, they would not give me the pain medication that they would give other prisoners because I was unclean.”

However, he said that he has forgiven all of those who have mistreated him behind bars.

“I forgave the prison doctor who did not listen to me and did not give me the medication that I needed,” the pastor stated. “I forgave the interrogator who beat me. Every day when I would see the interrogator and for the last time when I saw him, I forgave him. I smiled at him and with respect shook his hand and I said my goodbye.”

Abedini, 32, who has resided in Idaho with his wife and children since 2005, was incarcerated in Iran’s notorious Evin Prison in late September for allegedly threatening the national security of Iran by planting house churches in the country a decade ago, and for attempting to turn youth in the nation away from Islam and toward Christianity.

Become a Christian News Network Supporter...

Dear Reader, has ChristianNews.net been of benefit and a blessing to you? For many years now, the Lord has seen fit to use this small news outlet as a strong influential resource in keeping Christians informed on current events from a Biblical worldview. With much compromise and many falsehoods in modern-day Christianity, we strive to bring you the news by keeping Christ and His word in focus. If you have benefited from our news coverage, please prayerfully consider becoming a Christian News supporter by clicking here to make a one-time or monthly donation to help keep the truth of God's word widely and freely published and distributed. May Christ continue to be exalted through this work!