52 people, including several European citizens, arrested in Iran on espionage charges
Iranian intelligence officials have reportedly arrested 52 people on charges of espionage. Among those arrested are an Iranian-American, two French citizens, a German citizen, and a citizen from the Czech Republic.
Nizar Zakka, a Lebanese citizen with permanent residency in the United States, who was himself held hostage in Iran for more than four years and was recently released, announced the news in an exclusive interview with Voice of America that the 52 arrested individuals have been transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison.
Mr. Zakka emphasized that the arrested European citizens do not even have dual citizenship. Regarding the arrested Iranian-American citizen, he said that this person was arrested about four and a half months ago and is currently in the general ward of Evin Prison, along with Kamran Ghaderi and Shahab Dalili.
Addressing Federica Mogherini, the European Union's foreign policy chief, Nizar Zeka said: "I want to see what position Ms. Mogherini takes now."
Western analysts say the Islamic Republic uses dual nationals as hostages to extract money and privileges from Western governments. A number of American citizens – including Zhiyu Wang, Siamak and Bagher Namazi, and Michael White – are currently imprisoned in Iran.
There is also no information about the fate of Robert Levinson, another American citizen who disappeared in Iran more than twelve years ago.
The United States Department of State has repeatedly condemned the Islamic Republic's regime's arbitrary and unjustified detention of American and other citizens, including dual-national Iranians, and called for their immediate and unconditional release.
Source: Voice of America
