September 20-2013
Amir Hekmati, the imprisoned American “spy,” has smuggled a letter out of Evin prison in which he says he is being held as trade bait for Iranians imprisoned in the United States.
He also writes he was coerced to confess to being a spy almost two years ago.
The letter was obtained by The Guardian of Britain. It was handwritten and The Guardian said it has been verified by the Hekmati family.
The letter was addressed to US Secretary of State John Kerry.
Although Hekmati said Iran is holding him to trade for two Iranian prisoners held in the United States—mostly for trying to smuggle high-tech goods to Iran—a US State Department spokeswoman said Iran has not offered Hekmati in trade for any prisoners in the 25 months he has been held in Iran.
Hekmati was convicted of espionage in January 2012, but an appeals court overturned the conviction two months later. He has been waiting ever since to be retried.
Here is the full text of the letter, dated September 1.
Dear Mr. Kerry
I first of all would like to thank you and your department for your sincere efforts in supporting me and securing my release. My family and I are extremely grateful and appreciate the value the State Department places on US citizens.
For over 2 years I have been held on false charges based solely on confessions obtained by force, threats, miserable prison conditions, and prolonged periods of solitary confinement. This is part of a propaganda and hostage taking effort by Iranian intelligence to secure the release of Iranians abroad being held on security-related charges.
Iranian intelligence has suggested through my court-appointed lawyer Mr. Hussein Yazdi Samadi that I be released in exchange for 2 Iranians being held abroad. I had nothing to do with their arrest, committed no crime, and see no reason why the US Government should entertain such a ridiculous proposition. I do not wish to set a precedent for others that may be unlawfully obtained for political gain in the future.
While my family and I have suffered greatly I will accept nothing but my unconditional release. The very same suffering that the 3 American hikers have recently suffered and many others by these unlawful tactics. My hope is that those individuals within the Iranian government who respect rule of law and international ethics will intervene in my case.
As someone of Iranian heritage, I hope that the Iranian people will also support me and call on their government to respect my legal rights.
Respectfully, Amir Hekmati
