Kerry's Request to Iran: End the Unjust Detention of Amir Hekmati

John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, on Friday, September 6, urged Iran to end the "unjust" detention of Amir Hekmati, an Iranian-American citizen. According to AFP, Saturday, September 7 marks the fourth anniversary of Hekmati's detention. He served for a time as a Marine in the U.S. Army. Hekmati was arrested while claiming to visit his grandmother in Iran and was initially sentenced to death on charges of "espionage" and "collaboration with hostile countries," but this sentence was reduced to 10 years in prison upon appeal. Kerry, denying the "espionage" charges against Hekmati, stated, "We again call on Iranian officials to release Amir on humanitarian grounds." The U.S. Secretary of State noted the approaching fourth anniversary of this Iranian-American citizen's detention, saying, "The Hekmati family has shown inspiring spirit and resilience over these years." He added, "As a former Marine, Amir has shown remarkable courage in the face of this injustice." Kerry also called for the release of Saeed Abedini and Jason Rezaian, two other Iranian-American citizens. Saeed Abedini, an Iranian-American pastor, is currently imprisoned in Iran. Jason Rezaian, a Washington Post reporter, was arrested last July along with his wife and two others, with the others being released except for him. The U.S. Secretary of State also called for Iran's cooperation in finding Robert Levinson. Levinson, an American citizen and former FBI agent, reportedly worked as a private investigator for a large company and traveled to Kish Island in Iran to investigate "cigarette smuggling"; however, no information about his status has been available since this trip. In this context, Obama called for the release of Hekmati, Abedini, Rezaian, and the finding of Levinson. Zarif: The Iranian government will assist in resolving Jason Rezaian's case. The U.S. rejected the proposal for a "swap of Amir Hekmati". Amir Hekmati temporarily ended his hunger strike. An Iranian-American prisoner in Evin "has gone on hunger strike."