Here explains the capture of Pastor Saeed. An article will later come on his release.

Pastor Saeed Abedini, an Iranian- Christian from Boise, Idaho was released last Saturday from an Iranian prison; 4 of the 5 captured were released in a prisoner swap. He was supposed to serve an eight-year prison sentence, but part of the prisoners were released in the swap.
Pastor Saeed, his capture being one of the saddest, speaks that he is an innocent Christian pastor trying to show the glory of God to his homeland. Saeed was born and raised a Muslim in Iran but converted in 2000 to a Christian. He was then abruptly interrupted on his return to Iran for what was supposed to be a short trip for an orphanage mission, but was truly there to set up Christian churches.

Pastor Saeed was arrested and imprisoned by the Iranian government on the charge of endangering the security of the state. I believe that Pastor Saeed showed God’s true power on a person’s life, and he demonstrated this by never recanting his Christian beliefs, even though he was constantly viciously tortured for it, says the Christian Post in an article last June.

During this time back home in the United States, his wife Nagmeh Abedini and his two kids were only allowed the occasional telephone contact for the first few months.

“We’re going to get you out. Hang in there!” Pastor Saeed’s wife said to him during one telephone call. As the months progressed, they were allowed Skype calls, at which point his wife believed Pastor Saeed had developed “cabin fever” behavior because of long confinement. Naghem has also stated in past interviews that the couple has struggled with their marriage in the past, including with spousal abuse.

As the months turned to years, Pastor Saeed’s wife and kids continued to worry immensely and felt there were no justifiable reasons for his capture. During his imprisonment, he wrote a letter to his worry-struck daughter, Rebekka (8) stating, “Lord Jesus Christ is in control,” and also shared a wish for her “ learn important lessons during these trying times,” and “ everything that is happening in it is for His purpose.”

Paster Saeed is now released; current information will be posted a later time on his release.