Iran: American Sentenced to Death for Espionage
Source: Iranian Death Sentence for American in Spy Case
(CNN) — American Amir Mirzaei Hekmati, on trial in Iran for espionage, has been sentenced to death nearly five months after he was arrested, Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported Monday.
A court convicted Hekmati of “working for an enemy country … for membership in the CIA and also for his efforts to accuse Iran of involvement in terrorism,” according to Fars.
Ahead of the verdict, his family and the United States denied the accusations against him.
“We are deeply concerned that Amir is not receiving a fair trial and has not been afforded due process,” a family statement released last week said. “We have struggled to provide Amir with an attorney in Iran. We have sought to hire at least 10 different attorneys in Tehran to no avail.”
The family said their son was being represented by a government-appointment lawyer.
“Under any standard, this is not acceptable due process of law,” the statement said. ” We will not stop hoping and praying for justice, for peaceful dialogue with Iran, and for Amir’s safe return home.”