Iran sentences two US citizens to 10 years for espionage News
Iran sentences two US citizens to 10 years for espionage

[JURIST] A court in Iran on Tuesday sentenced two US citizens to 10 years in prison following convictions on charges that they spied and “cooperated” with the US. Siamak Namazi, a businessman, and his elderly father, Baquer Namazi, both have dual citizenship with Iran. The New York Times reported [NYT report] on Monday that the businessman was seized in Iran nearly a year ago and had not been seen publicly since this week when he was shown in a video holding his passport along with images of other United Citizens who had been detained on espionage claims. It is believed that this is the continuation of a Iranian crackdown on those who cooperate with the US following the nuclear deal [Reuters report] reached last year.

Earlier this year an Iranian judiciary spokesman announced [JURIST report] that a nuclear scientist was executed for providing the US with state secrets. Shahram Amir previously went missing [CNN report] in 2009 while embarking on a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Amir reemerged in the US in 2010 and returned to Tehran, claiming that he had been abducted by the CIA to release secrets about Iran’s nuclear program. US officials argued that Amir had willingly defected, and Amir was soon after detained and charged with treason and espionage. After lower courts sentenced Amir to death, the Iranian High Court reviewed Amir’s case and affirmed the conviction.