House Passes Resolution Urging Release of Pastor Saeed Abedini

Press Release

Today the House unanimously passed a resolution calling for the immediate release of Boise Pastor Saeed Abedini, who has been imprisoned in Iran since 2012. Abedini is serving an eight-year prison term for intentionally undermining the national security of Iran by gathering with other Christians in private homes.

Rep. Raúl Labrador, R-Idaho, is an original cosponsor of House Resolution 233, which passed on a 391-0 voteMonday evening. The resolution was introduced in April by Rep. Daniel Kildee, R-Mich. Other cosponsors include Democrats Ted Deutch of Florida, Jared Huffman of California, Eliot Engel of New York and Florida Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Reps. Labrador, Kildee, Deutch and Huffman each represent the families of Americans being held prisoner in Iran or who are missing in Iran.

"I hope the government of Iran will heed of the message sent by the House and free Pastor Saeed and the other Americans," Labrador said. "Until then, I believe all negotiations with Iran should end until these prisoners are freed.

"If the Iranian government is serious about its expressed desire to engage in constructive interaction with the world, it must free Pastor Saeed and the other captives. I urge President Obama to continue to advocate for the release of Pastor Saeed and take all necessary and appropriate steps to that end."

Earlier this month, Abedini's wife, Naghmeh Abedini, appeared before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs regarding her husband and other captives. It was the third time she'd testified before Congress.

Added Labrador: "I have been touched by Mrs. Abedini's strength, love and concern for her husband. I continue to hope and pray that he and the other Americans will soon be free."

House Resolution 233 states, "That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that Iran should release all detained United States citizens immediately and provide any information it possesses regarding any United States citizens that have disappeared within its borders."

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