Release of Footage Showing the 'Moment of Arrest' of Siamak Namazi

Mizan News Agency, the news agency of the Judiciary of the Islamic Republic, has released a video of Siamak Namazi, an Iranian-American prisoner in Iran, claiming to show the moment of his arrest. In this short video released on Sunday, October 15, brief images of Mr. Namazi, his American passport, and his residency card in the United Arab Emirates are shown. It also shows Siamak Namazi holding his hands at a 90-degree angle, while someone in front of him films him, and ultimately, he exits the location with a man whose face is not visible. At the end of the video, a picture of Ed Royce, the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is shown, with a quote stating, 'The arrest of Siamak Namazi is the latest humiliation for America.' The Judiciary-affiliated news agency also referred to Siamak Namazi as 'a bridge between some notorious elements inside the country and the U.S. government for infiltration.' A Telegram channel named 'Shabnameh' has also made similar accusations against Mr. Namazi, with the admin stating that an interview with this Iranian-American prisoner will be published soon. Nearly a year after the arrest of Siamak and Mohammad Baqer Namazi, a court session for these two Iranian-American citizens has recently been held under the presidency of Aboulqasem Salavati. Siamak Namazi, an Iranian-American manager of strategic planning at Crescent Oil Company, was arrested last October during a trip to Iran, and shortly after, Crescent announced the termination of his cooperation with the oil company. Four months later, his father, Mohammad Baqer Namazi, traveled to Iran to follow up on his son's situation but was also arrested and sent to Evin Prison. In March 2016, Gholamhossein Mohseni Eje'i, the spokesperson for the Judiciary, claimed that Siamak Namazi has a 'security file.' The United States has called for the release of this father and son. Recently, the wife of Muhammad Ali, the legendary American Muslim boxer, also wrote a letter to the Iranian leader requesting their release.