US Asks For Release of Imprisoned Game Developer Amir Hekmati
The United States government has issued a statement asking for the release of American Amir Hekmati, a former Marine and game developer who was accused of being a spy for the CIA and imprisoned one year ago. Hekmati confessed to the allegation in a televised broadcast on Iranian television, but it’s believed to have been a false confession that was imposed onto Hekmati.
The Republic of Iran originally sentenced Hekmati to death but in March, his case was dubbed “not complete” and the sentence was overturned. Although the judges involved in his case have ordered a retrial, it is unclear if Hekmati will actually get one. Hekmati’s lawyer claims he’s been in solitary confinement for a year and is in poor health due to the poor conditions of the prison. Here’s their full statement:
“Press Statement
Victoria Nuland
Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
August 29, 2012Today marks one year since Iranian authorities detained U.S. citizen Amir Hekmati. We are relieved that Iran’s Supreme Court overturned the death sentence verdict, but remain troubled by Mr. Hekmati’s lack of legal rights and Iran’s continued refusal to allow consular access by Swiss authorities, the United States’ protecting power in Iran.
Mr. Hekmati now has spent a year in prison on charges that are categorically false, and he endured a closed-door trial with little regard for fairness and transparency. We remain concerned over reports of Mr. Hekmati’s health condition in prison and urge the Iranian Government to release him so that he may be reunited with his family.”
Hekmati worked with Kuma Games, a development studio in which he worked on a language learning video game made for the Department of Defense and in his confession, claimed that the developer was “a tool of the CIA.” Kuma Games has since declined to comment on the accusation and at times ignored requests for comment. International matters are always tricky situations and with only little and/or compromised information to go by, you have to decide what is true and what isn’t. So do you think a game developer can turned into a spy? Is Kuma Games a mouthpiece for the CIA? Regardless of innocence, should Amir Hekmati be released to the United States? The comment section below awaits!
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