Washington
CNN
—
An American wrongfully detained in Iran is asking on President Joe Biden to take discover of US detainees there, launching a starvation strike Monday to mark seven years since he was left behind in a prisoner swap that introduced different People house.
In a letter to Biden, Siamak Namazi known as on the US president to think about him on daily basis for the seven days he intends to hold out the starvation strike commemorating the grim milestone.
“Prior to now I implored you to succeed in on your ethical compass and discover the resolve to carry the US hostages in Iran house. To no avail. Not solely can we stay Iran’s prisoners, however you haven’t a lot as granted our households a gathering,” wrote Namazi, who’s one in all three People who stay wrongfully detained in Iran. Emad Shargi and Morad Tahbaz have additionally been imprisoned there for years.
“All I need sir, is one minute of your days’ time for the subsequent seven days dedicated to interested by the tribulations of the U.S. hostages in Iran,” Namazi wrote to Biden. “Only a single minute of your time for annually of my life that I misplaced in Evin jail after the U.S. Authorities might have saved me however didn’t. That’s all.”
“Alas, given I’m on this cage all I’ve to give you in return is my further struggling. Due to this fact, I’ll deny myself meals for a similar seven days, within the hope that by doing so that you gained’t deny me this small request,” he stated.
Namazi was blocked from leaving Iran after visiting in July 2015 and underwent months of interrogations earlier than being arrested in October 2015. He was not included within the prisoner swap with Iran in January 2016 that led to the discharge of Washington Put up journalist Jason Rezaian, Marine veteran Amir Hekmati and Christian pastor Saeed Abedini. A fifth American was additionally individually launched at the moment.
“When the Obama Administration unconscionably left me in peril and freed the opposite Americans Iran held hostage on January 16, 2016, the U.S. Authorities promised my household to have me safely house inside weeks,” Namazi wrote in his letter Monday. “But seven years and two presidents later, I stay caged in Tehran’s infamous Evin jail, holding that lengthy overdue IOU together with the unenviable title of the longest held Iranian-American hostage in historical past.”
A Nationwide Safety Council spokesperson stated the Biden administration stays “dedicated to securing the liberty of Siamak Namazi and we’re working tirelessly to carry him house together with all US residents who’re wrongfully detained in Iran, together with Emad Shargi and Morad Tahbaz.”
The spokesperson added that it’s “outrageous” for Iran to detain US residents for political leverage.
“Our precedence is bringing all our wrongfully detained residents house safely and as quickly as doable and resolving the circumstances of lacking and kidnapped US residents,” the spokesperson stated.
The US doesn’t have diplomatic relations with the Iranian regime, although it has known as on the federal government there to launch the detained People. Tensions between Tehran and the West have additional ratcheted within the wake of brutal crackdowns towards protests in Iran and the executions of protesters. Over the weekend, Western governments condemned the execution of Alireza Akbari, a twin British-Iranian citizen who was hanged after being accused of espionage and corruption.
Namazi’s brother, Babak Namazi, informed CNN that this week is very painful for his household yearly.
“It’s only a horrific week, as to suppose that seven years, seven entire years have passed by, which might have been prevented if at the moment Siamak would have been included with the 5 different People,” Babak stated.
In February 2016, Namazi’s father Baquer was lured to Iran below the false premise that he would have the ability to see his son. He was as a substitute instantly taken into custody at the moment. Siamak and Baquer Namazi have been sentenced to 10 years in jail in October 2016. Baquer was launched from Iran after greater than six years in October 2022. That very same month, Siamak was granted furlough from Evin Jail, however was pressured to return a short while later.
Babak stated his “household is in fact gravely involved for Siamak’s well being and distraught that he has resorted to such determined measures” as a starvation strike.”
“President Biden, Siamak is begging you, my household is imploring you. Please, please, take what it takes to make these brave selections that we all know you’re able to,” Babak informed CNN.