Iranian-American Prisoner in Evin 'Has Gone on Hunger Strike'

The family of Amir Mirzaei Hekmati, a former U.S. Marine who has been imprisoned in Iran for three years, says he is currently 'on hunger strike' and has written a letter to the President of the United States. According to the Associated Press on Tuesday, December 25, Mr. Hekmati informed his family about his hunger strike during a phone call. He also mentioned the letter to Barack Obama during this call so that his family could write and send the text. In this letter, Amir Hekmati asks the U.S. President not to forget him while progress is being made in nuclear negotiations with Iran. The letter states: 'My hope is that after reading this letter, you, or anyone who sees this letter, will help end the nightmare I am experiencing.' Mr. Hekmati added in the letter: 'Every day I wake up hoping to hear news of my freedom. Every night I go to sleep feeling despair, disappointed that another day has passed and I am still behind the walls of this prison, away from family, friends, and without any meaningful contact with people. Away from my father, who is seriously ill, and the end of this situation is also unclear.' According to doctors, Amir Mirzaei Hekmati's father has brain cancer. The letter continues: 'Mr. President, my request is that you do not forget me. My request is that you clearly state that my case is not related to the [nuclear] negotiations and should be resolved separately.' He added: 'I ask you to have your team remind Iranian officials that more than three years of uncertainty is enough.' In another part of this letter, it states, 'I know the situation between the United States and Iran is sensitive, but I should not be a victim of this situation.' Amir Hekmati was arrested and imprisoned in August 2011 while visiting Iran to see his grandmother on charges of espionage for the United States. His initial death sentence was changed to ten years in prison in a secret appellate court held last winter. The New York Times quotes Amir Hekmati's family stating that his ability to defend himself during the trial was severely limited, and he was even unaware of the reduction of his sentence from death to ten years in prison. Previously, Amir Hekmati's family, along with several high-ranking officials, including several lawmakers, the President, and the Secretary of State of the United States, have stated that he is innocent and have called for the release of this 31-year-old man.