Americans Released by Iran Have Been in a "Very Demonic Atmosphere" Says US Congressman

News Staff : Jan 19, 2016
CBN News

"They've come out of a very oppressive environment where they were, for the most part, left in isolation—had a lot of mental torture—and this will take time to process out and help them." -Congressman Robert Pittenger

(Washington, DC)—Pastor Saeed Abedini and two other Americans freed by Iran are undergoing physical and psychological evaluations at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. (Screengrab via CBN News)

CBN News spoke with Congressman Robert Pittenger of North Carolina, who is part of an official U.S. delegation in Landstuhl to welcome the freed Americans.

"This is a very critical phase," Rep. Pittenger said. "They've come out of a very oppressive environment where they were, for the most part, left in isolation—had a lot of mental torture—and this will take time to process out and help them."

Pittinger said the doctors will decide when the former hostages can meet with visitors and it could be 5-10 days before they can leave for home.

"They've been in a very demonic atmosphere and it's been very oppressive," he said. "The transition in their life is going to be extraordinary. So, just being able to communicate, be back with their families, is going to be a real challenge. This is going to be a very hard process."... (Screengrab via CBN News)

"Marriages have their own challenges, there's no perfect marriages I'm aware of, except, you know, with the Lord," Pittinger said. "It's not going to be just a normal situation going back together, I think we just really need to pray that God will heal totally their hearts."

Pittinger has been calling for pastor Abedini's freedom since 2013. Evangelist Franklin Graham, who heads the Charlotte-based Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, played a role in enlisting him to the cause.

"Franklin has been a good friend of Mrs. Abedini's through this period. I was encouraged to get involved because of Franklin and also because of Dr. David Chadwick in Charlotte, the pastor of Forest Hill Church. So my interest is there because they asked me to get involved."

Pittinger said he'll tell Saeed and the others, "God Bless you, we're just grateful to God that you are here."