Iranian-American jailed in Iran allowed brief leave over health

State Department welcomes four-day release of Baquer Namazi, 81; calls for all Americans ‘unjustly held’ by Tehran to be freed

By AP 29 January 2018, 12:40 am

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This undated photo shows Baquer Namazi, left, and his son Siamak, in an unidentified location. (Babak Namazi via AP)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — An Iranian-American dual national held in Tehran was granted a brief leave from prison over health concerns, his Washington-based lawyer said Sunday.

Lawyer Jared Genser said in a statement that his 81-year-old client would be out of Tehran’s Evin prison on a four-day leave. Baquer Namazi has undergone surgery already while imprisoned to have a pacemaker installed.

Genser says his client’s leave should be made permanent given his poor health.

Iranian state media did not immediately report Namazi being granted leave.

US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said: “We welcome the release of Baquer Namazi given his deteriorating health but we note that his release is only temporary. We call for the immediate and full release of the Namazi family, including his son Siamek, as well as other Americans unjustly held by the Iranian government”