Flint Family Wants U.S. To Put Pressure On Iran To Release Imprisoned Son
DETROIT (AP) - The family of an ex-Marine from Flint detained in Iran wants Secretary of State John Kerry to step in and demand his release.
The mother, sister and brother-in-law of Amir Hekmati were in Washington this week, meeting State Department officials and members of Congress.
They say Hekmati is "emaciated" after more than a year in solitary confinement and a month on a hunger strike. Efforts to free the 29-year-old Iranian-American are at a standstill after more than 600 days of incarceration.
Hekmati was originally sentenced to death by an Iranian court after being accused of spying. An appeals court vacated the death sentence.
State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said Friday that freeing Hekmati is a top priority.
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