US-Iran Prisoner Swap | Who Are The Prisoners Released?
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Salma Hossein
- . September 19, 2023
- . Update: September 19, 2023 6:13 pm
The US-Iran prisoner swap deal has been making headlines in recent days. After months of negotiations, the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran have finally agreed to release prisoners.
Under a controversial prisoner swap deal between the US and Iran, which includes a provision to unlock $6 billion in frozen Iranian oil funds, some detainees have already left Iran.
Who are the prisoners released from Iran?
Siamak Namazi
Siamak Namazi, an Iranian-American businessman, has left Iran under the prisoner swap deal. He was detained by the Iranian authorities in the summer of 2015. The Iranian authorities had accused him of “collaborating with a hostile government.”
Earlier this year, he started the hunger strike to request US President Joe Biden to negotiate with Iran for his release.
Emad Sharghi
Emad Sharghi, an Iranian-American businessman, has also left Iran under the US-Iran prisoner swap deal. He moved to Iran in 2017 with his wife, Bahareh Amidi Shargi. He also started working in Iran. However, he was arrested in 2018. The Iranian authorities released him after an eight-month detention. The Iranian authorities did not allow him to leave Iran. Because of the US-Iran deal, Emad Sharghi is finally released.
Morad Tahbaz
Morad Tahbaz, an Iranian-American businessman and conservationist, was arrested in 2018 in Iran. The Iranian authorities accused him of being in “contacts with the U.S. government.” They also sentenced him to 10 years in prison.
Morad Tahbaz is finally allowed to move to the United States because of the prisoner swap deal.
Two unnamed detainees
Two unnamed detainees have also left Iran because of the prisoner swap deal. According to the US government, the two other detainees were arrested in 2022. Under the U.S.-Iran prisoner deal, the two detainees have finally left Iran.
Who are the prisoners released from the US?
Kaveh Lotfolah Afrasiabi
Kaveh Lotfolah Afrasiabi, an Iranian-American political scientist, was arrested by the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) in 2021. According to reports, Kaveh Lotfolah Afrasiabi was allowed to leave the United States. However, Kaveh Lotfolah Afrasiabi said that he did not plan to return to Iran.
Mehrdad Ansari
Mehrdad Ansari was arrested in 2021 for his role in a scheme to “obtain military sensitive parts” for Iran. Under the deal, Mehrdad Ansari is allowed to leave the United States.
Amin Hasanzadeh
Amin Hasanzadeh, an Iranian national, was charged in 2019 in U.S. District Court in Michigan. The U.S. accused him of stealing sensitive documents. The US authorities also accused him of being in connection with the Basamad Azma Company, an Iranian company.
Kambiz Attar Kashani
Kambiz Attar Kashani, a dual citizen of the United States and Iran, was sentenced to 30 months in jail in February 2023. He reportedly pleaded guilty to illegally export U.S. goods to other countries. Kambiz Attar Kashani has been freed under the deal.
These prisoners are released under the US-Iran prisoner swap deal.
