An Iranian American jeweler from New York has been released from prison in Iran. However, he remains under restrictions that prevent him from leaving the country, as confirmed by both his family and federal officials.
Concerns Raised Over Health of Cancer Patient
The family expressed significant concern for their loved one’s health, stating they are “desperately afraid for his health and well-being.” This anxiety stems from his need for regular medical checkups to monitor his bladder cancer and prevent a relapse.
Representatives for the family and the federal government didn’t say where Hekmati, 62, is currently staying in Iran or how many other Americans are currently believed detained in the country. Hekmati’s family says he was charged under an Iranian law that bans Iranian citizens from visiting Israel within the last 10 years. But they maintain his last trip to Israel was 13 years ago prior to the passage of the law for his son’s bar mitzvah. Valizadeh obtained U.S. citizenship in 2022 while working in Washington, D.C., for Radio Farda, the Persian-language arm of Radio Free Europe, which receives U.S. government funding.
Shohreh Nowfar, Hekmati’s cousin in California, said Friday that the family are “excited” and hopeful his passport can be returned soon so he can leave the country, which has been at war with the U.S. and Israel for more than six months now. Hekmati did nothing wrong,” said U.S. It also said the country should “immediately release” Iranian American journalist Reza Valizadeh and other Americans “unjustly detained in Iran. He is among at leas nine reporters currently jailed in Iran, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
“Mr. Rep. “We cannot rest until he is reunited with his family. The State Department similarly called on Iran to lift its so-called exit ban so Hekmati can return to the U.S.
Thomas Suozzi, a Long Island Democrat who advocated for the State Department to officially designate Hekmati as wrongfully detained earlier this year.
