Amir Hekmati, the former marine imprisoned in Iran since 2011, has appealed to members of Congress about his incarceration, calling on them to help put an end to Iran’s “serial hostage-taking.”
“As a war veteran who defended our nation in its time of need, I ask that you also work to defend my dignity and that of my fellow Americans,” the letter, which was dictated to family members, says.
Hekmati thanked the State Department and the Obama administration for calling for his release, but insisted there had been “no serious response to this blatant and ongoing mistreatment of Americans by Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence.” The letter, which a spokesman for the family sent to IranWire, outlines his imprisonment and the role it has played in “an ongoing propaganda campaign.”
“In the midst of negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, Secretary Kerry sits politely with the Iranians, shaking hands and offering large economic concessions to save them from economic meltdown,” the letter continues, “Jason Rezaian was added to the growing list of American captives, undoubtedly in hopes of milking more concessions from the U.S. government.”
Hemati’s sister, Sarah, also wrote to Congress. She said her brother, “a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps,” was “being held hostage by the regime.” She appealed to them to “join the strong bipartisan effort” to secure her brother’s release.
She acknowledged the need for diplomacy with Iran, but pointed out that “Iran that has deliberately ignored some of the most basic obligations” under international treaties. She added that the family was extremely worried about her brother’s health. “He needs your help,” she wrote.
In recent months, Hekmati has appealed to the Iranian government, writing to judiciary head Sadegh Larijani and Mahmoud Alavi, the Minister of Intelligence. Most recently, he called on Iranian authorities to deport him.
Read the letter in full.
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