Iran tries US pastor on national security charges

An Iranian-American Christian pastor charged with plotting against state security appeared in a Tehran court on Monday, but will be released on bail, his lawyer told ISNA news agency. Saeed Abedini, a naturalised US citizen and Christian convert, denied "charges of establishing churches to disrupt national security" in Iran and colluding to carry out crimes, his Iran-based lawyer Nasser Sarbazi was quoted as saying. Abedini was not accused of espionage, Sarbazi said. The 32-year-old was arrested in September on a return visit to Iran and alleged in a recent letter that he was beaten in prison, his wife Naghmeh and his US-based lawyer said last week. Sarbazi said Abedini was to be temporarily released "in the next few days" after he posts a bail of four billion rials (nearly $115,000). He will then be able to leave the country, Sarbazi added. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the United States had "serious concerns" about the case and urged Iran to grant Abedini access to an attorney. His wife said he has not seen a lawyer since his arrest. Iran's constitution following the 1979 Islamic revolution recognises the rights of several religious minorities including Christians, but the regime has targeted converted former Muslims. Another Iranian Christian convert condemned to death, Youcef Nadarkhani, was released in September having spent two years in prison after his detention prompted international outcry.