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It really has been devastating to our family. it's obviously not a priority. it's a human rights issue. iran being the top violator of human rights. here is a family broken apart. this is the hardest time of the year for us. christmas and thanksgiving. we hoped he would be home for us and we don't know if he'll survive the new prison. >> jay, have you been speaking to people in the administration? >> we have been. on friday i sent a letter to secretary of state kerry urging him to secure the release of said abedini and two other americans held prior to inking this agreement. we have eased sanc...

Actually sentenced to i had i had. he was sentenced to death initially for the crime. this is about two years ago. because of international pressure, partly from human rights watch and other organizations, including christian organizations, in the united states, and in europe and elsewhere: his conviction actually was changed, he spent a little bit of time in prison and he has since been released. he -- so you think you can bring some pressure to bear. >> yes. >> abe -- abedini. is he american citizen. is he persian by descent. lives in the u.s.a. goes back to persia, iran, and they grab him, ...

>> bill: factor follow up segment tonight. terrible situation in iran. 32-year-old be a dean any american father of two, christian pastor. convicted of insurrection and sentenced to 8 years in a iranian president. why condemn iran's freedom of religion and we call on the iranian authorities to release mr. abedini. close contact with the family actively engaged in this case. >> bill: that's nice i don't think iran is quaking in proverbial boots. with us now is a member of the group human rights watch iranian expert. they don't care what cash carney says, do they? >> i think international pressu...

Grabbed him because he was involved in the home church movement in iran. >> bill: what's that? >> mr. abedini is a christian pastor. is he a convert. he was born into a muslim family. he decided to change to christianity. >> bill: what's the home church thing? >> the home church movement is essentially a protestant movement in iran it is relatively popular and has become more popular in recent years. it's in some ways an underground movement because many christian converts and protestants are not allowed to build churches in iran. as a result they hold their ceremonies and services in home. >>...

Actually sentenced to i had i had. he was sentenced to death initially for the crime. this is about two years ago. because of international pressure, partly from human rights watch and other organizations, including christian organizations, in the united states, and in europe and elsewhere: his conviction actually was changed, he spent a little bit of time in prison and he has since been released. he -- so you think you can bring some pressure to bear. >> yes. >> abe -- abedini. is he american citizen. is he persian by descent. lives in the u.s.a. goes back to persia, iran, and they grab him, ...