Iranian foreign minister Javas Zarif attacked the United States over the detention of Marzieh Hashemi, an Iranian journalist, calling the arrest as “an unacceptable political act that tramples on freedom of speech”. Tehran also criticized the “inhuman treatment of her in jail” in the US.
According to Sputnik news reports, an apex court of the US has confirmed the arrest of Marzeih Hashemi, an American-born Iranian journalist, in the city of St. Lous, US, and also that she will be released after testimony in front of a court.
The court order said Hashemi, whose birth in the US as Melanie Franklin, had been prisoned to give her testimony to a grand jury investigating unspecified “violations of US criminal law”. Specifically, the court order noted that “Franklin has been appointed an attorney and has been accused of any crime”.
However, no details regarding Hashemi’s testimony and other information about her case’ nature was disclosed in the court filing. The US development came after the Iranian government asked for the immediate release of Hashemi.
Zarif has denounced “the move by the US, which detained Marziyeh Hashemi illegally and inhumanely”, further adding “the US’ actions with regard to her are a direct violation of human rights”.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Bahram Qasemi pointed out that Hashemi “has been unable to contact anyone for two days”, while actions taken against her after the arrest insults her as a Muslim.