Tensions rise as Iran sentences 'US spy' to death
Source: Agencies |
January 10, 2012, Tuesday
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AN Iranian court has convicted an American man of working for the CIA and sentenced him to death, state radio reported yesterday, in a case adding to the growing tension between the United States and Iran.
Iran charges that as a former US Marine, Amir Mirzaei Hekmati received special training and served at US military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan before heading to Iran for his alleged intelligence mission. The radio report did not say when the verdict was issued. Under Iranian law, he has 20 days to appeal.
The 28-year-old former military translator was born in Arizona and graduated from high school in Michigan. His family is of Iranian origin. His father, a professor at a community college in Flint, Michigan, has said his son is not a CIA spy and was visiting his grandmothers in Iran when arrested.
His trial took place as the US announced new, tougher sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, which Washington believes Tehran is using to develop a possible atomic weapons capability.
Iran, which says it only seeks nuclear reactors for energy and research, has sharply increased its threats and military posturing against stronger pressures, including the US sanctions targeting Iran's Central Bank.
The US State Department has demanded Hekmati's release.
The court convicted him of working with a hostile country, belonging to the CIA and trying to accuse Iran of involvement in terrorism.
In its ruling, a branch of Tehran Revolutionary Court described Hekmati as a "mohareb," an Islamic term for a fighter against God, and a "mofsed," or one who spreads corruption on earth.
In a closed hearing last month, the prosecution asked for the death penalty for Hekmati.
The US government has called on Iranian authorities to grant Swiss diplomats access to him in prison. The Swiss government represents US interests in Iran because the two countries don't have diplomatic relations.
Hekmati is a dual US-Iranian national. Iran considers him Iranian since the country does not recognize dual citizenship.
On December 18, Iran's state TV broadcast video of Hekmati delivering a purported confession in which he said he was part of a plot to infiltrate Iran's Intelligence Ministry.
The Intelligence Ministry said its agents identified Hekmati before his arrival in Iran, at Bagram airfield in neighboring Afghanistan - the main base for US and other international forces outside of Kabul.
Iranian news reports said Hekmati was detained in late August or early September.
Iran charges that as a former US Marine, Amir Mirzaei Hekmati received special training and served at US military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan before heading to Iran for his alleged intelligence mission. The radio report did not say when the verdict was issued. Under Iranian law, he has 20 days to appeal.
The 28-year-old former military translator was born in Arizona and graduated from high school in Michigan. His family is of Iranian origin. His father, a professor at a community college in Flint, Michigan, has said his son is not a CIA spy and was visiting his grandmothers in Iran when arrested.
His trial took place as the US announced new, tougher sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, which Washington believes Tehran is using to develop a possible atomic weapons capability.
Iran, which says it only seeks nuclear reactors for energy and research, has sharply increased its threats and military posturing against stronger pressures, including the US sanctions targeting Iran's Central Bank.
The US State Department has demanded Hekmati's release.
The court convicted him of working with a hostile country, belonging to the CIA and trying to accuse Iran of involvement in terrorism.
In its ruling, a branch of Tehran Revolutionary Court described Hekmati as a "mohareb," an Islamic term for a fighter against God, and a "mofsed," or one who spreads corruption on earth.
In a closed hearing last month, the prosecution asked for the death penalty for Hekmati.
The US government has called on Iranian authorities to grant Swiss diplomats access to him in prison. The Swiss government represents US interests in Iran because the two countries don't have diplomatic relations.
Hekmati is a dual US-Iranian national. Iran considers him Iranian since the country does not recognize dual citizenship.
On December 18, Iran's state TV broadcast video of Hekmati delivering a purported confession in which he said he was part of a plot to infiltrate Iran's Intelligence Ministry.
The Intelligence Ministry said its agents identified Hekmati before his arrival in Iran, at Bagram airfield in neighboring Afghanistan - the main base for US and other international forces outside of Kabul.
Iranian news reports said Hekmati was detained in late August or early September.
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