U.S. calls on Iran to release father, son jailed without charges
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 19 March 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, U.S. calls on Iran to release father, son jailed without charges, 19 March 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5768ff6b15.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
March 19, 2016
Iranian authorities arrested Baquer Namazi and his son Siamak and have held them without charges.
The United States has called for the release of two Iranian-American citizens detained without charge in Tehran.
Family members say businessman Siamak Namazi was arrested in October while his father Baquer, 80, was detained last month. Both men are believed to be in Tehran's notorious Evin prison.
"We're deeply concerned about reports of the detention of U.S. citizens Siamak Namazi and Baquer Namazi in Iran," State Department spokesman John Kirby said on March 18.
"We're not aware of any charges against either man, and we believe that both reported detentions are unjust," he said.
"We call on Iran to allow consular access via Swiss authorities and to release both men as soon as possible so they can return to their families."
Friends describe Siamak Namazi as a businessman who was not involved in politics except for a time when he lobbied Washington to end a U.S. embargo on selling medicines to Iran.
Baquer Namazi is a retired UNICEF official.
Based on reporting by AFP and Voice of America
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
