Pastor Sentenced to 8 Years in Iranian Prison
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(BOISE, ID) — A Boise pastor being held in Iran for allegedly trying to set up underground Christian churches in that country has been sentenced by an Islamic court. Saeed Abedini will spend at least eight years in prison after he reportedly entered his former homeland illegally. The sentencing comes after Iranian officials claimed they would release Abedini on a $116,000 bond last week. Abedini’s wife says the ruling confirmed her belief that Iran has no intention to free her husband. The State Department has not issued an official statement on the ruling, though authorities are working with Abedini’s family in the United States.