American citizen Saeed Abedini has been sentenced to eight years in prison by the Iranian government for allegedly helping establish underground churches in the Islamic republic.

Abedini, an Iranian-born convert to Christianity, reportedly led secret churches in the early 2000s when the pro-reform presidency of Mohammad Khatami tolerated such activity. He left the country last decade, but returned in 2009. Authorities detained him at that time and warned him to cease participating in underground religious activities.

Abedini said he complied with the agreement, and returned to Iran last year only to build an orphanage. Police arrested him in September. Since then, he has been beaten by his jailers, according to Abedini’s lawyer, Nasser Sarbazi.

Abedini’s supporters had feared the Iranian court would sentence him to death. Sarbazi said his client intends to appeal the verdict.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

To Learn More:

US Christian To Appeal Iran Jail Term: Lawyer (Agence France-Presse)

Pastor Saeed Abedini Still in Prison as Trial Begins; Iranian Media Accused of Lying (by Stoyan Zaimov, Christian Post)

Wife of American Christian pastor and father awaits his possible death sentence in Iran (Daily Mail)