American Pastor Imprisoned in Iran Set Free in Prisoner Swap
BY HEATHER CLARK
SEE: http://christiannews.net/2016/01/16/american-pastor-imprisoned-in-iran-set-free-in-prisoner-swap/; republished below in full unedited for informational, educational, and research purposes:
KARAJ, Iran — An American pastor who has been imprisoned in Iran for over three years as part of an eight-year prison sentence has been set free in a prisoner swap between the U.S. and Iran.
“It is confirmed: Saeed is released!” Saeed Abedini’s wife Naghmeh posted on social media this morning.
As previously reported, Abedini, a former Iranian Muslim turned Christian, left Iran in 2005 and moved to the United States with his wife and two children to find religious freedom after facing conflict with authorities for planting house churches in the county. In 2012, he traveled back to Iran to build an orphanage and visit his parents—and was about to return to the states—when he was taken into custody.
Abedini was later charged with threatening the national security of Iran, and for attempting to turn youth in the nation away from Islam and toward Christianity. He was then sentenced to eight years in Iran’s notorious Evin Prison, but was transferred to to Rajai Shahr Prison in 2013, which was believed to pose an even greater threat to Abedini’s health and safety.
He has experienced numerous beatings behind bars ever since, and has struggled with severe physical pain and threats that he would not be released until he returns to Islam.
Nonetheless, Abedini has encouraged Christians from behind bars to stand strong for their faith.
“[B]rothers and sisters, the fact of the gospel is that it is not only the story of Jesus, but it is the key of how we are to live and serve like Jesus,” he wrote in a letter in 2014.
“Today, we like Him should come out of our safe comfort zone in order to proclaim the word of life and salvation though faith in Jesus Christ and the penalty of sin that He paid on the cross and to proclaim His resurrection,” he said. “We should be able to tolerate the cold, the difficulties and the shame in order to serve God. We should be able to enter into the pain of the cold dark world.”
Abedini’s wife has worked tirelessly for her husband’s release, even meeting personally with Barack Obama last January along with the couple’s two young children.
In September, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told reporters during a visit to New York that he would consider setting Abedini free if the U.S. released Iranian citizens who were likewise being held.
“If the Americans take the appropriate actions vis-a-vis Iranian citizens who are being imprisoned here, then the right atmosphere and environment will be created for reciprocal action perhaps,” he told CNN’s Christianne Amanpour.
Now, according to reports, Iran has released four U.S. prisoners in exchange for seven Iranians being held in America.
“Prosecutor Abbas Jaafari told IRNA that four dual nationality Iranian-American prisoners, passing prison terms in Iran, will be exchanged with seven Iranian nationals languishing at the U.S. jails,” reports the Islamic Republic News Agency. “The settlement included a clause according to which the US will no longer pursue extradition of 14 Iranians for alleged involvement in purchasing arms from the US to Iran.”
Others expected to be released include Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati and American businessman Siamak Namazi.
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Obama Pardons 21 Iranians Convicted of Violating Sanctions
White House delayed new sanctions after Iran
threatened to keep prisoners
by ADAM KREDO
SEE: http://freebeacon.com/national-security/obama-pardons-21-iranians-convicted-of-violating-sanctions/; republished below in full unedited for informational, educational, and research purposes:
The Obama administration confirmed late Sunday it had delayed the imposition of new ballistic missile sanctions on Iran to ensure the Islamic Republic released five imprisoned Americans under a secret agreement reached on the sidelines of the nuclear negotiations, according to senior administration officials.
The officials confirmed that “secret” talks between U.S. and Iranian officials had been taking place for the past 14 months.
In exchange for the release of the five Americans—including a Washington Post reporter and Christian pastor—the Obama administration pardoned or dropped charges on 21 Iranians convicted of violating U.S. sanctions, including seven who had been detained in the United States, according to a State Department official who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon on background.
Iran, however, said that the number of those “privileged by the deal” stands at 28, though it did not provide evidence to back this claim.
The administration decided earlier this month to delay the implementation of new sanctions on Iran as a result of its repeated test-firing of ballistic missiles, which violated United Nations Security Council resolutions prohibiting such activity.
The delay, which came hours after the administration announced the new sanctions to Congress, sparked outrage on Capitol Hill and led to accusations that the White House was capitulating to Iranian demands.
A senior Obama administration official, speaking only on background, confirmed that the sanctions were delayed to preserve the sensitive negotiations over the U.S. prisoners.
“With respect to the [sanctions] designations, yes … but I think it’s obviously fair to say that the key issue for us was we had these three different tracks going on,” the official told reporters on Sunday. “The most sensitive one was the one that pertained to our Americans whose release we were seeking. And we did not want to complicate what was a very sensitive and delicate effort to bring Americans home with that action.”
The administration decided to delay the sanctions not because of Iranian complaints, but because of “this sensitivity around making sure we’re not compromising our efforts to get the Americans out,” the official said.
Iranian officials further confirmed that they had threatened to walk away from prisoner talks if new sanctions were implemented.
Following the release of the Americans this weekend, the administration designated 11 Iranian entities and individuals for their role in the country’s ballistic missile program.
Iran’s defense minister dismissed the sanctions Monday and vowed that the country would continue to enhance its ballistic missile program.
“Attempts to impose new sanctions under the pretext of irrelevant excuses show the United States’ continued hostile policies and hatred towards the Iranian nation and its useless attempts to weaken Iran’s defense power, which are not helpful to regional security, stability and tranquility,” Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan was quoted as saying.
Additionally, Iran unveiled advanced nuclear centrifuges capable of enriching uranium, the key component in a nuclear weapon, faster than the country’s previous models.
Those Iranians pardoned in exchange for the release of the five U.S. prisoners include major sanctions offenders accused of providing Tehran with money and technology to illegally fuel its nuclear research.
While the Obama administration acknowledged the pardon of 21 Iranians, the Islamic Republic’s foreign ministry announced on Monday that a total of 28 Iranian were freed or pardoned under the deal.
“An overall number of 28 Iranians were freed or were relieved of judicial restrictions within the framework of the agreement,” Hossein Jaberi, the foreign ministry spokesman, was quoted as telling reporters Monday.
Six of the Iranians confirmed to have been pardoned have dual U.S.-Iranian citizenship, and two plan to stay remain in America, according to ABC News, which outlined the backgrounds of the pardoned individuals.
Nader Modanlo, who has U.S. citizenship, had been handed an eight-year prison sentence for allegedly helping Iran launch its first satellite, according to ABC. Iran’s space program has long been seen as a cover for its efforts to develop advanced intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of carrying a nuclear payload.
Khosrow Afghahi who co-owns power companies in the United States and Iran, was pardoned as part of the swap after being convicted of providing illegally technology to Tehran.
Bahram Mechanic, also a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen, was indicted last year for allegedly funneling “millions of dollars in U.S. technology to Iran,” according to ABC. This technology could be applied to Iran’s “military systems, including surface-air and cruise missiles,” the report states.
Tooraj Faridi, a business partner of Afghahi, also stood accused of giving illegal technology to Iran. Faridi plans to continue living in Houston, Texas, according to his lawyer, who spoke to ABC.
Arash Ghahraman was pardoned over the weekend after being sentenced to more than six years in prison as a result of his effort to purchase military and maritime equipment on Iran’s behalf.
Nima Golestaneh, who had pled guilty to hacking U.S. defense contractors, was pardoned after being extradited from Turkey to America last year.
Ali Saboonchi was convicted in a U.S. court in 2014 of violating the Iran Trade Embargo by attempting to export industrial products to Iran. Saboonchi’s release “shows that he poses no danger to the American people,” his lawyer told ABC.
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Obama delays new sanctions, pardons Iranians accused of helping Iran illegally fuel its nuclear research
by ROBERT SPENCER
SEE: http://www.jihadwatch.org/2016/01/obama-delays-new-sanctions-pardons-iranians-accused-of-helping-iran-illegally-fuel-its-nuclear-research; republished below in full unedited for informational, educational, and research purposes:
“Attempts to impose new sanctions under the pretext of irrelevant excuses show the United States’ continued hostile policies and hatred towards the Iranian nation and its useless attempts to weaken Iran’s defense power, which are not helpful to regional security, stability and tranquility,” said Iran’s Defense Minister. And so Obama helpfully complied with their wishes and delayed the new sanctions, which were for Iran’s repeated violation of UN resolutions prohibiting the test-firing of ballistic missiles.
It’s always the same question: what could possibly go wrong?
“Obama Pardons 21 Iranians Convicted of Violating Sanctions,” by Adam Kredo, Washington Free Beacon, January 18, 2016:
______________________________________________________The Obama administration confirmed late Sunday it had delayed the imposition of new ballistic missile sanctions on Iran to ensure the Islamic Republic released five imprisoned Americans under a secret agreement reached on the sidelines of the nuclear negotiations, according to senior administration officials.The officials confirmed that “secret” talks between U.S. and Iranian officials had been taking place for the past 14 months.In exchange for the release of the five Americans—including a Washington Post reporter and Christian pastor—the Obama administration pardoned or dropped charges on 21 Iranians convicted of violating U.S. sanctions, including seven who had been detained in the United States, according to a State Department official who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon on background….The administration decided earlier this month to delay the implementation of new sanctions on Iran as a result of its repeated test-firing of ballistic missiles, which violated United Nations Security Council resolutions prohibiting such activity.The delay, which came hours after the administration announced the new sanctions to Congress, sparked outrage on Capitol Hill and led to accusations that the White House was capitulating to Iranian demands.A senior Obama administration official, speaking only on background, confirmed that the sanctions were delayed to preserve the sensitive negotiations over the U.S. prisoners.“With respect to the [sanctions] designations, yes … but I think it’s obviously fair to say that the key issue for us was we had these three different tracks going on,” the official told reporters on Sunday. “The most sensitive one was the one that pertained to our Americans whose release we were seeking. And we did not want to complicate what was a very sensitive and delicate effort to bring Americans home with that action.”The administration decided to delay the sanctions not because of Iranian complaints, but because of “this sensitivity around making sure we’re not compromising our efforts to get the Americans out,” the official said.Iranian officials further confirmed that they had threatened to walk away from prisoner talks if new sanctions were implemented….“Attempts to impose new sanctions under the pretext of irrelevant excuses show the United States’ continued hostile policies and hatred towards the Iranian nation and its useless attempts to weaken Iran’s defense power, which are not helpful to regional security, stability and tranquility,” Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan was quoted as saying.Additionally, Iran unveiled advanced nuclear centrifuges capable of enriching uranium, the key component in a nuclear weapon, faster than the country’s previous models.Those Iranians pardoned in exchange for the release of the five U.S. prisoners include major sanctions offenders accused of providing Tehran with money and technology to illegally fuel its nuclear research.While the Obama administration acknowledged the pardon of 21 Iranians, the Islamic Republic’s foreign ministry announced on Monday that a total of 28 Iranian were freed or pardoned under the deal.“An overall number of 28 Iranians were freed or were relieved of judicial restrictions within the framework of the agreement,” Hossein Jaberi, the foreign ministry spokesman, was quoted as telling reporters Monday.Six of the Iranians confirmed to have been pardoned have dual U.S.-Iranian citizenship, and two plan to stay remain in America, according to ABC News, which outlined the backgrounds of the pardoned individuals.Nader Modanlo, who has U.S. citizenship, had been handed an eight-year prison sentence for allegedly helping Iran launch its first satellite, according to ABC. Iran’s space program has long been seen as a cover for its efforts to develop advanced intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of carrying a nuclear payload.Khosrow Afghahi who co-owns power companies in the United States and Iran, was pardoned as part of the swap after being convicted of providing illegally technology to Tehran.Bahram Mechanic, also a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen, was indicted last year for allegedly funneling “millions of dollars in U.S. technology to Iran,” according to ABC. This technology could be applied to Iran’s “military systems, including surface-air and cruise missiles,” the report states.Tooraj Faridi, a business partner of Afghahi, also stood accused of giving illegal technology to Iran. Faridi plans to continue living in Houston, Texas, according to his lawyer, who spoke to ABC.Arash Ghahraman was pardoned over the weekend after being sentenced to more than six years in prison as a result of his effort to purchase military and maritime equipment on Iran’s behalf.Nima Golestaneh, who had pled guilty to hacking U.S. defense contractors, was pardoned after being extradited from Turkey to America last year….
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