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Boise Couple That Endured Iranian Prison Ordeal Head Toward Divorce

Jacquelyn Martin
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AP Images
Naghmeh Abedini holds a necklace with a photograph of her husband, Saeed Abedini, on Capitol Hill during a House Foreign Affairs Committee in 2015.

Despite attempts to reconcile their differences, two high-profile Boiseans appear to be on the path to divorce.

 

Saeed Abedini made international headlines when he was freed from an Iranian prison earlier this year after his wife, Naghmeh, advocated for three years to get him released. The Christian pastor had been arrested in Iran after the government accused him of starting home churches in the Islamic country.

In a Facebook post by Naghmeh published Tuesday -- which has been shared hundreds of times -- she says, “Saeed has rejected counseling for anger and abuse and has filed for a divorce.”

The post comes after revelations of domestic abuse suffered by Naghmeh in 2007. When Saeed returned to Boise in January, she filed a restraining order against him. According to the Idaho Statesman, he was arrested this year for violating that order.

The couple has two young children, who were often in the media spotlight at rallies during their father’s captivity.

Find Frankie Barnhill on Twitter @FABarnhill

Copyright 2016 Boise State Public Radio

Frankie Barnhill was the Senior Producer of Idaho Matters, Boise State Public Radio's daily show and podcast.

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