US Condemns Death Sentence of American in Iran

Since Iranian state radio reported that a court convicted former U.S. Marine Amir Mirzaei Hekmati of spying for the CIA and sentenced him to death, the United States immediately condemned the sentence. He was officially charged with “working for an enemy country,” as well as membership in the CIA and “efforts to accuse Iran of involvement in terrorism,” according to Iran’s Fars news agency. Hekmati also apparently admitted to working for a CIA-backed company that produced computer games manipulating users into holding pro-American views. The 28-year-old claims dual citizenship and was born in Arizona, graduating from high school in Michigan.

National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor stated, “The Iranian regime has a history of falsely accusing people of being spies, of eliciting forced confessions, and of holding innocent Americans for political reasons. We call upon the Iranian government to grant the Swiss protecting power immediate access to Mr. Hekmati, grant Mr. Hekmati access to legal counsel, and release him without delay.” Vietor also denied that Hekmati was ever a member of the CIA.