Jamshid Sharmad's Phone Call and Family Concerns; Could This Be His Farewell Call?

Jamshid Sharmad, a dual-national prisoner held in the Islamic Republic's prison, spoke with his family over the phone on Sunday, July 16. Ghazaleh Sharmad, the German prisoner’s daughter who has permanent residency in the U.S., wrote on her Twitter account: "After 5 months, today we had a phone call with my father Jamshid Sharmad for the first time. It is concerning that after 2 years of being deprived of contact with his daughter, he was allowed to speak with me this time." Ghazaleh Sharmad continued: "This scares me a lot. Could this be his farewell call?" She referred to her father's weak voice during the call, stating: "His voice was weak, he was severely ill, and he has been alone in solitary confinement for over 1000 days, suffering in pain and fear. His chest hurts in the summer heat. For the first time, he tells me: I am tired, Ghazal, it’s been almost 3 years, get me out of here as long as your life lasts." Ghazaleh Sharmad noted that it was alarming that he was unaware of the outside world and his death sentence that was announced 5 months ago. She questioned: "Where in the world does a defendant not have the right to know their sentence?" According to Ghazaleh Sharmad, her father's last words were greetings to everyone and a message to Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of Germany, stating: "Mr. Scholz, your citizen has been kidnapped, tortured, and sentenced to death after 1000 days in solitary confinement and show trials; what will you do to save him?" Ghazaleh Sharmad wrote: "When I told my father that after 3 years of hostage-taking and the imminent death sentence, our government does not want his freedom, but only seeks a new sentence, he was stunned and laughed. He emphasized: My hope is in Europe and America; no one else can save my life." Mr. Sharmad, the head of the 'Tondar' radio, was kidnapped by Iranian government agents during a trip to the United Arab Emirates in the summer of 2020. His daughter says he was abducted while flying from Frankfurt to Mumbai. Masoud Setayesh, the spokesperson for the Islamic Republic's judiciary, announced on Wednesday, April 25, in a press conference that the Supreme Court confirmed Jamshid Sharmad's death sentence. According to Amnesty International, Mr. Sharmad has been tortured over the past three years and held in solitary confinement for a long time. Amnesty International states that Jamshid Sharmad has also been deprived of adequate healthcare and should be released. Ghazaleh Sharmad told VOA on May 7 that the family could not contact Jamshid Sharmad and had to follow news about their father through the media. Ghazaleh Sharmad's plea to Joe Biden: Do not leave us defenseless against the actions of the Islamic Republic. The daughter of Jamshid Sharmad discusses the details of a complaint against 8 senior officials of the Islamic Republic in Germany. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Democratic representative, stated: All American hostages must be released from Iran. A Democratic congressman suggested that Joe Biden appoint a special representative for the hostages in Iran. A representative from California called for the safe and sound return of Jamshid Sharmad home. Ghazaleh Sharmad's complaint against 8 senior officials of the Islamic Republic.