Blog#5:Father fears he may never see his son imprisoned in Iran

Father fears he may never see his son imprisoned in Iran

US marine Amir Mirzaei Hekmati, is imprisoned in Iran on espionage charges.  His family in Iranian-American family would like to see him released before his father does from brain cancer.  His father’s biggest fear is that he may not be able to see his son to hug him and kiss him before he passes to the other side, which is his only wish.  August of 2011 Amir went to Iran to visit with his grandmother, and within weeks he was arrested, interrogated, and imprisoned.  Iran knew Amir was a military soldier because he told the Embassy of Iran that he was in the military. His mother explains that her son checked with Iranian authorities in the US before making the trip.  However, Amir went onto Iranian TV to confess that he was a CIA operative, but his mother explains that “they forced him to do that.” State Department explains that they have been trying to get access to him since he was originally locked up.   Amir was sentenced to death, but has since been granted a retrial.  The marine remains in prison in Iran, without knowing his father is dying of brain cancer.  His father’s neurosurgeon believes that the emotional stress of his son’s imprisonment will make cancer treatment more challenging.  Amir’s family made the announcement in the USA because they knew Iran’s president was in the USA for the UN General Assembly. 

I chose this article because I think it fits well with my family topic. This is because I think many family members actions don’t just hurt them but may also hurt their loved ones.  Families usually are there for each other, when someone in the family is suffering. And in this situation, that can’t happen because of a government’s misunderstanding.  Your family’s support means a lot especially when you are fighting for your own life.  I think this situation is so very sad because this marine wasn’t in the wrong and even made sure before he left his safe country to visit his loved one in another country. You can tell Amir must love his family because even though he asked the government of the US for permission and got it he still risked it by going.  Now, Amir is in prison far away fighting for his life in another way just like his father. 

http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/25/us/iran-marine-imprisoned/index.html?iref=allsearch