Around 9 months after Saeed Abedini was released from Iran's notorious Evin prison, the 36 year old has filed for divorce from his wife, Naghmeh, who campaigned for his freedom.
As the latest post on Naghmeh Abedini's Facebook page reads, "It is with a heavy and broken heart that I inform all of you who have prayed and wept with our family the last few years, that Saeed has rejected counseling for anger and abuse and has filed for a divorce. There will be a time to share more fully, but for now, we appreciate your prayers."
The Boise couple had a rough three years, with him in an Iranian prison and her fighting tirelessly for his freedom while taking care of their two children.
Charged with participation in Christian home churches, Saeed was first detained under house arrest, and was then imprisoned in Iran back in 2012. Ever since, his wife Naghmeh Abedini made several public appearances, and even went on to speak at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva pleading his case. In 2015, she met with President Obama on his visit to Boise. Eventually, her efforts paid off, and the pastor was freed in a prisoner exchange swap.
But on the day Saeed returned to Boise after years of abuse behind Iranian bars, Naghmeh filed a case of domestic relations against him in Ada County. As the Idaho Statesman reveals, Naghmeh filed for a petition of legal separation along with a temporary restraining order concerning the couple's children and property.
The couple had been trying to address and resolve their problems, and Naghmeh had, earlier this year, pleaded with him to attend counseling to tackle his issues of domestic abuse.