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Wife of pastor jailed in Iran describes emotional testimony

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    Congressional panel offers support

  • Duration 5:56
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With a family of a jailed American pastor in Iran is now demanding that the Obama administration issue a statement calling for the release.

So I -- -- -- attorneys for the -- -- is at a hearing on Friday accused the US state department of being quote a wall on this subject.

But the last few months listen to some of this.

I think the state department's refusal to appear before this committee today does extremely troubling and frankly offensive.

The failure to appear today and to testify frankly is inexcusable.

We've had some dialogue with the State Department over the last several months -- honest mr.

chairman is not pleasant.

The lack of concern the lack of engagement has been problematic in -- -- -- -- pastor site you know -- -- -- -- United States citizen.

He's us.

In our government's not here four -- state department's.

Words from the attorney Darren I'm joined once again by -- have a -- The wife of the -- pastors site he'd have a Dini.

And also Jordan secular -- an attorney fighting to help free her husband he's the executive director at the American Center for Law and Justice welcome back -- -- revealed.

Nag me wanna start with you and know Friday was a very difficult.

-- day for you.

We saw you in tears as you testified in front what was that like for you.

It was very much and I tried to.

Have front so that.

I don't usually show my emotions very much but I -- It was if that's the reality of what they kept and I think every game that's -- their emotions and missing him and seeing my kids suffer and terribly missed their -- my son had his fifth birthday yesterday and my site with both taken to Disneyland and just it was a it was a hard day it was hard.

He was missing from our family and it was -- -- day for us that ends.

It's been emotional.

But at the same time.

You've got something that you wanted for a long time which is to bring this issue.

In front of this congressional hearing what was the response that you got did you feel like you had sort of you know.

Warm blooded human being is looking back at -- and saying I get it we're gonna help you now.

Yes it was very surprising and and -- -- just then an amazing response getting seeing.

Just the support of the congressmen and and the chairman and and -- having them really get emotional and really understand.

Struggles of our family and wanting to fight for us and made Dave -- -- it was amazing seeing that and and and -- -- think it's starting to see some results of of having meetings afterwards and that they are really pushing to get the site home yeah.

-- you know we watched today talking about -- sitting in front of the hearing and and when he says to them you know he is he -- us.

He's an American citizen.

And he is not getting any help.

From our government and frankly it's very disappointing.

I -- -- I feel like he's not being treated that way he's not being treated like he is one of us.

I made this statement the hearing as well that that.

We it was easier to get the State Department to move our -- not -- Connie who was imprisoned pastor in Iran who was released facing the death penalty.

Who was not American than it has been this entire process.

That not -- he's been working with the State Department that we've been working with the State Department you know.

Up until the day before the hearing.

We had desk officers going around us contacting -- made directly she's getting on the plane to Washington DC.

By the way they could show up to the hearing and -- they're down the street she fluid from Idaho she's got two kids as a single mom right now.

-- and they told her you know you never asked us for help.

Now -- think about having -- we've been right here on Fox News asking for help.

We made those those remarks very clear that the State Department as well -- Friday at that hearing we made it clear.

We -- a statement from John Kerry a written statement is by calling -- -- -- the detainees released and today we're gonna we're -- just let them know right now they have until Friday.

If not we've gotten work congressman interested in pursuing options that are fairly -- more more interventions more hearings as well to get to the bottom of this.

-- we do have a change in ahead of the State Department and John Kerry here's what he said about this matter at his confirmation hearing.

We remain deeply concerned about the fairness and transparency of mr.

-- his trial.

I along with the US government condemn Iran's continued violation of universal right of freedom and religion.

And call on the -- -- out -- authorities to respect mr.

-- he's human rights and to release him I.

You know that that is his statement it is that what what more do you want to award you with well.

He made that statement the day he was confirmed to but he wasn't secretary of state.

And since he's been secretary of state senator rubio -- office has been following up with secretary -- -- -- that's who he was responding to a question from senator rubio written question.

And here was another -- -- -- -- the State Department has never taken a proactive step.

Everything has been a reaction to a reporter's question senators question let's issue a statement what -- -- Secretary lately you've laid down this deadline here today -- Friday what do you want by Friday.

And we hope it comes before so we can work with the State Department a clear statement from John Kerry secretary of state calling for same -- news release calling on Iran.

To release this American citizen today.

That we know I would point you brought up let us and I'll just leave -- -- -- this thought you remember the hikers and and all of the outrage in this country.

And all of that you know tears and a welcoming -- of these three hikers which was a great thank.

That you wonder why -- husband is in getting the same sort of attention as an American citizen not me think you and Jordan thank you think as -- -- era we're on top of it as well and we of sorts and a what comes Simpson you've -- -- woman from since the very beginning and I was doing.

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