The Family of Baqer and Siamak Namazi Appeals to Donald Trump for Help

The family of Baqer and Siamak Namazi, two Iranian-Americans imprisoned in Iran, has appealed to the Donald Trump administration for their release, describing their situation as one of "constant fear" and uncertainty regarding the case and fate of their family members. Babak, Siamak's brother and Baqer Namazi's son, stated in an interview with Fox News, "I can't even describe the helplessness, vulnerability, and fear that our family is experiencing. Every morning I wake up and ask myself if we will hear bad news today." Baqer and Siamak Namazi are father and son. Siamak, an academic and economic activist, was arrested by Iranian security forces in October 2015. His lawyer claims he is the only American citizen not included in the prisoner swap following the nuclear agreement last January. In February 2016, his father, Baqer Namazi, a former UNICEF official, was also arrested in Iran. Iran has sentenced each of them to ten years in prison, claiming they committed espionage and contacted the U.S. government. Amid recent tensions between the Trump administration and the Iranian government over the implementation of the nuclear agreement, the Namazi family's lawyer stated that "they are desirable hostages" that Iran uses "as leverage to negotiate with the U.S." Jared Genser, the Namazi family's lawyer, added, "The main issue is that Mr. Obama could not guarantee the release of Siamak and Baqer Namazi, and now the question is what the Trump administration will do in this regard." Genser noted that the Namazi family is optimistic because Donald Trump tweeted about them during his campaign in October, stating, "Iran has done it again. They have taken two of our citizens and are demanding a large sum of money for their freedom. If I become president, this won't happen." Fox News reported that the Namazi family now wants Trump to fulfill his promise. The Trump administration, like the Obama administration, has placed the Namazi family's issue on its agenda. White House spokesman Sean Spicer said, "We have supported recent requests from international human rights organizations and UN human rights officials for the immediate release of all American citizens imprisoned and missing in Iran." The Namazi family's lawyer stated that the White House spokesman's comments are "a significant step forward," but "practical and urgent actions must follow." The Namazi family emphasized that given Baqer Namazi's illness and the harsh and unsuitable conditions in prison, their release is becoming more urgent. Babak Namazi stated, "If we cannot guarantee their release quickly, I may never see my father or my brother Siamak again. My children will not be able to see them, and this is truly terrifying."