Iranian Pastor's Wife Naghmed Abedini Shares Husband Saeed's ‘Inner Demons’ But Regrets Telling to Public Afterwards

By Marie Villaceran
Saeed Abedini
Saeed Abedini ACLJ

Naghmed Abedini has been fighting for her husband's freedom after being captured in Iran for years now. However, stress is taking a toll on Pastor Saeed's wife.

In two of her emails to the supporters, she confessed about their troubled marriage.

Naghmed wrote that she was physically, emotionally, psychologically and sexually abused by the pastor. She also noted that Saeed had an addiction to pornography.

Naghmed said the abuse started after they got married, but everything got worse when Saeed was imprisoned in Iran. During that time, they were still communicating via Skype.

The mother-of-two wrote: "It is very serious stuff and I cannot live and lie anymore. So, I have decided to take a break from everything and seek the Lord on how to move forward."

Naghmed announced that she will be halting her public advocacy to release her husband. Her plan to speak at the Freedom 2015 event was also cancelled. It was also reported that she will be staying off social media for a couple of months.

Though Naghmed said she would no longer pursue the public appeal for Saeed's freedom, she said she will continue to pray for him.

"But that does not mean he has not been battling with his own demons which I am believing that he can be freed of," she said. "I wanted to be real and ask you to pray for real things (I have opened myself up to you), but without judgment and without losing your love for your brother Saeed who is fighting for his life in the dark prison."

However, after the public got her message, she spoke with Christianity Today and said that she was regretful in doing so.

She said that she was suffering emotional distress, and it got the better of her. She is now asking everyone for privacy.

"I would appreciate for those who care about Saeed and our family to give us time for rest and healing and to respect our privacy," said Naghmed.

Saeed was imprisoned in Iran back in 2012. Earlier this year, President Barack Obama had helped the cause and told the pastor's wife that saving Saeed is a "top priority."

Obama asked for Saeed to be "returned to his wife and two young children, who needlessly continue to grow up without their father."

At present, there is still no conclusion from Iran, but Saeed's supporters are continuously advocating for his freedom. 

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