American pastor 'black and blue' after beating in Iranian prison

Saeed Abedini and family

An American pastor imprisoned in Iran for his Christian faith was left "black and blue" after a beating by fellow inmates, according to a legal team supporting him.

The American Center for Law and Justice said Wednesday that pastor Saeed Abedini was attacked and injured while he was leaving his cell.

"Unprovoked, fellow prisoners attacked pastor Saeed as he attempted to leave his cell, punching him in the face near his left eye and nose," said the ACLJ report posted by Jordan Sekulow.

"In addition to physically beating the persecuted pastor, prisoners demolished a small table pastor Saeed used to study and read.'

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ACLJ said, as he was attacked, Abedini called out for help.

"Iranian prison guards did intervene and prevent further injury," the report said. "However, pastor Saeed suffered injuries to his face – his eyes beaten black and blue. He was able to be seen briefly by a prison doctor, and thankfully he did not receive any broken bones."

The case has finally drawn the attention of President Obama, who met with Abedini's wife, Naghmeh, after her husband had been imprisoned for two years.

Read the stories of heroism and faith beyond comprehension, in "Foxe: Voice of the Martyres," by John Foxe.

Many of Abedini's supporters have asked why his release isn't included in any diplomatic agreement with Iran regarding its nuclear program.

Accused of setting up a network of Christian house churches, Abedini was jailed in 2012 for "crimes against the national security of Iran."

The Obama administration stated recently that Iran should release Abedini unconditionally.

ACLJ said the most recent beating, a week ago, wasn't the first time for Abedini.

"Over the course of his nearly three years in prison, he has suffered numerous beatings, including from prison guards," ACLJ said. "He has sustained internal injuries that require surgery. With each beating, his condition worsens."

ACLJ said that even before this most recent beating, Naghmeh testified of the toll it has taken on him.

"I'm not just worried about his physical pain, but his psychological [pain]," she said. "It is heartbreaking to me and my family that Saeed was again beaten in prison."

She said her husband's life is "continuously threatened not only because he is an American, but also because he is a convert from Islam to Christianity."

"It's time to get Saeed home before it is too late," she said.

ACLJ said the "renewed violence is a vivid reminder of the need to do all we can as a nation to bring pastor Saeed and the other Americans wrongfully held in Iran home."

The organization noted a petition on behalf of Abedini already has collected nearly 940,000 signatures.

Last month, Iranian authorities increased their pressure on Abedini by threatening to keep in prison indefinitely while leveling new charges.

"They have said, 'Don't think you'll get out after eight years. We'll add additional reasons to keep you,'"  Tiffany Barrans, the international director for the ACLJ, said at the time.

Last September, human rights leaders joined with Abedini's wife at a White House prayer vigil to mark the two-year anniversary of his imprisonment.

She said nothing less than a miracle is needed in his case.

In a statement, Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham said Abedini was facing new threats to his safety "as ISIS militants imprisoned in the same jail are threatening his life."

WND reported last August that Rajai Shahr prison inmates who were affiliated with ISIS were making death threats against the American pastor.