Iran has extended the temporary release of a US citizen released earlier this week, his brother said on Saturday, expressing hope that it will become permanent.
Siamak Namazi, a 51-year-old Iranian-American businessman, was arrested in October 2015. His father, former Unicef official Baquer Namazi, 85, was taken into custody the following year when traveled to Iran to demand Siamak's release.
Both have been convicted of espionage, allegations they deny.
Baquer Namazi, who was excused in 2020 from serving his sentence for medical reasons, was authorized on Wednesday to leave Iran for Abu Dhabi and receive treatment there.
Siamak's brother, Babak Namazi, said on Saturday that Iranian authorities had granted his brother another three-day leave and he hoped it would be extended.
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“
We hope and pray that full freedom will soon be granted to him so that our family can finally be reunited
,” Babak wrote.
He added that his father, contrary to the recommendations of his Iranian doctors, will not undergo surgery at this time to remove a life-threatening blockage in his left carotid artery, but will instead attempt to follow the alternative treatments recommended by the doctor. Abu Dhabi medical team.
At least two other American citizens are currently being held in Iran: Emad Sharqi, an investor sentenced to ten years in prison for espionage, and Morad Tahbaz, who also has British nationality, and has been released on bail.