Marine Held in Iran for 1,200 Days Writes This Open Letter to Obama

Posted 2014-12-19 13:56 by

Marine Held in Iran for 1,200 Days Writes This Open Letter to Obama

One of the major tenets of American military philosophy is that we leave no man behind. It’s not just an empty slogan, it’s a moral obligation to our men in uniform.

As our commander-in-chief, President Barack Obama has an obligation to follow this tenet. However, his inattention to the case of Amir Hekmati proves that Obama is derelict in his duty.

Amir Hekmati is a former marine who served honorably. He’s been held prisoner by Iran by over three years because of his service to our country, out of a total of ten that he’s been sentenced to.

Iran’s immigration laws are such that they won’t recognize the American citizenship of someone whose parents are Iranian citizens.

Hence, during a family visit back to Iran, he was charged with fighting for a foreign military. Originally sentenced to death, public outcry led to his sentence being reduced to ten years in prison.

President Obama has been largely silent on the case of Hekmati, doing little to pursue his release in public. Indeed, the president seems more concerned about capitulating to Iran on their nuclear program than pursuing the release of a man who served his country honorably.

Hekmati spoke out through a letter he dictated from prison, in which he chastised our president for his abandonment of an American veteran. (H/T Controversial Times.)

“As you are well aware, I have been detained in Evin Prison in Iran for more than three years. In fact, my mother informs me that as of today, December 15, 2014, it has been more than 1,200 days. One-thousand and two-hundred days, which have included solitary confinement and mistreatment. I remain confined without a fair trial and no idea or understanding of what is to be my fate,” Hekmati wrote.

“Every day, I wake hoping that there is news of my release. Every night, I go to sleep disappointed to mark another day that I am still behind these prison walls, away from my family, friends and meaningful human contact. Away from my father who is gravely ill. There is no end in sight.”

“I hold on to my innocence and the knowledge that I was wrongly imprisoned. I plead my case to all who will listen. But, unfortunately, my pleas fall on deaf ears. As hope fades, I remain alone and weakened.”

“With no answer in sight, I am deeply concerned that my future has become tied to the nuclear negotiations with Iran, with which I have no connection, influence or leverage. I can draw no other conclusion, as each opportunity for a legal or humanitarian remedy is ignored, delayed or denied,” Hekmati continued.

I ask that you not forget me, Mr. President. I understand that there will be additional dialogue this week on the nuclear subject. I ask that you make it clear that my case is unrelated and should be resolved independent of your talks. I ask that your team impress upon the Iranian officials that more than three years without resolution is simply too long. My punishment has already far exceeded the charges brought against me, charges that I continue to contest to no avail. I know that the climate between the United States and Iran is delicate. But I should not fall victim to it.

“I am a son, a brother, an uncle and a man. I am an American who deserves basic human rights and his freedom.”

“Instead, I feel as if I have been left behind. I ask you, Iran and those who read this letter, in particular the Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Khamenei and the Minister of Intelligence Hojjatoleslam Alavi, to work to ensure my immediate release and return to my country of birth – The United States of America.”


Source: Conservative Tribune

 

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