On Monday, pastor Saeed Abedini‘s father tried to visit his son at Rajai Shahr Prison, located in Karaj, Iran, only to be turned away by prison officials. Saeed’s father had brought with him some of Saeed’s personal belongings, blankets to keep him warm, and the medication doctors had prescribed Saeed last July to treat the injuries he had sustained while in Evin Prison. Prison officials told the father that Saeed could not have any personal belongs, including his medication.
As we reported just over a week ago, Iranian officials transferred Abedini from Evin Prison in Tehran to Rajai Shahr, where he is now sharing a cell with some of Iran’s most violent criminals: murderers and rapists.
Reports state that Rajai Shahr Prison was built to house 5,000 inmates, but at present the prison holds roughly 22,000 inmates. Such overcrowding has led to what many call “deadly and inhuman” conditions within the prison. Human rights groups report that prisoners in Rajai Shahr do not have access to fresh air or proper nutrition and that louse and communicable diseases are widespread.
Saeed’s health had been improving with his medication in Evin Prison, but with horrendous conditions in Rajai Shahr and the lack of proper medication, his health will likely deteriorate quickly.
Please join us in prayer for Saeed’s health and protection. Take action in urging our nation’s leaders to directly engage diplomatically to save Pastor Saeed’s life. Sign the petition to immediately intervene to #SaveSaeed at BeHeardProject.com.
