IAPAC | CLP

16
Jan
2016

PAAIA Welcomes Release of Four Iranian Americans Detained in Iran

 

January 16, 2015, Washington, D.C. – The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) welcomes the release of four Iranian Americans detained in Iran, including Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian, Pastor Saeed Abedini, and former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati. A fourth Iranian American, Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari, was also reported to have been released.  

News of the release comes on the heels of the implementation of the landmark nuclear agreement between world powers and Iran.  Reports indicate Iran has released the four Iranian Americans in an apparent swap with seven Iranian (including six dual nationals of Iran and the U.S.) who were imprisoned in the United States for sanctions violations. The release of the Iranian Americans is a positive indication that the diplomatic relations formed through the nuclear negotiations could lead to other tangible results.

U.S. officials, including President Obama and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, have for many years reiterated their request for the release of American citizens unjustly detained in Iran. 

Amir Hekmati had been detained in Iran since August 2011. Saeed Abedini, a convert to Christianity, was arrested in September 2012 while engaging in humanitarian work. Jason Rezaian had been detained in Iran since July 2014 on charges related to national security. Their families have worked tirelessly over the years for the release of their loved ones.  

PAAIA seeks to protect Iranian Americans’ right to immunity from harassment and unlawful detention when traveling outside the United States, including in Iran.  We continue to call on the authorities in Iran to release Siamak Namazi, Iranian American consultant who has been detained in Iran since October of 2015, and to safeguard the immunity, safety and security of all Iranian Americans traveling, working, or living in Iran. 

 

Read More: 

Iran Releases American detainees 

 

 

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