Iranian government confirms arrest of American citizen
The spokesman for the Islamic Republic's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the arrest of an American citizen in Iran, Michael White. Iran denied pressuring the American prisoner, but did not explain the reasons for the arrest or his current condition.
Bahram Qassemi, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, officially confirmed the news of the arrest of a former American soldier and said: "An American citizen named Michael White was arrested in the city of Mashhad some time ago. The matter was reported to the US government in the first days of the arrest through the US Interests Protection Office in Tehran, and his government has been aware of this arrest since the very beginning of the arrest."
Ghasemi called some American media reports about the unfavorable conditions and harassment of this American prisoner "psychological warfare and targeted lies," and said: "Such false and inaccurate reports are strongly denied."
According to the official IRNA news agency, Ghasemi said: "The case of this individual is being investigated by the competent legal channels, and once this process is completed, the relevant authorities will inform the public in due time."
Neither the Foreign Ministry spokesperson nor other Iranian sources have provided any explanation about the extent of Michael White's allegations or his current condition.
The news of Michael White's arrest was published by the American newspaper "The New York Times" on Tuesday (January 8th), and the IranWire website had reported the news the day before.
That report relied on the account of a former Iranian prisoner who had seen Mr. White in Mashhad's Vakilabad prison in October.
More than five months in detention
Michael White's mother says her son has been missing in Iran since July. He had gone to Iran to see his girlfriend and was scheduled to return to the United States via Dubai on July 27, but has not returned.
He said he was unaware of his son's charges or the reason for his arrest, adding that he had previously traveled to Iran "five or six times."
According to some media reports, Michael White is 46 years old and a resident of California and was previously a member of the US Navy.
A US State Department spokesperson confirmed that the United States was informed of the detention of an American citizen in Iran through the Swiss Embassy's interests office in Tehran.
Source: DW
