Letter to the Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States - President Obama is in Unique Position to Focus International Attention on Detention of Pastor Abedini
Letter
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) sent a letter this week to President Obama urging him to renew his call for the release of Pastor Saeed Abedini, an American citizen who has been imprisoned for more than a year in Iran for peacefully practicing his Christian faith.
"The President of the United States is in a unique position to focus international attention on the unjust and abusive detention of one of our citizens," Sen. Cruz said. "There might also be an opportunity for administration officials participating in nuclear negotiations in Geneva this week to raise the issue directly with their Iranian counterparts. Time is of the essence given Pastor Saeed's current predicament."
This week, Pastor Saeed was suddenly and without explanation transferred from Iran's Evin prison to the even more brutal Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj, which houses violent criminals on death row and is infamous for abusing political prisoners.
The letter expresses strong, bi-partisan support for Presidential action given recent developments in the case.
"All those who have followed Pastor Saeed's case commend you for raising the issue with President Hasan Rouhani," the letter states. "We believe this new action by the Iranian regime merits additional response. It is imperative for the United States government to speak out boldly on behalf of Pastor Saeed at the earliest opportunity, and we look forward to supporting you in this effort."
The letter was signed by 23 senators: Ayotte (R-NH); Blunt (R-MO); Boozman (R-AR); Burr (R-NC); Corker (R-TN); Cornyn (R-TX); Crapo (R-ID); Enzi (R-WY); Gillibrand (D-NY); Graham (R-SC); Hoeven (R-ND); Inhofe (R-OK); Johanns (R-NE); Johnson (R-WI); Leahy (D-VT); Lee (R-UT); Paul (R-KY); Portman (R-OH); Risch (R-ID); Roberts (R-KS); Rubio (R-FL); Sessions
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