In a letter to the Secretary of State John Kerry, 112 members of U.S. congress have asked him to make the return of Amir Hekmati a “top priority.”

Amir is a U.S. born former Marine. In 2011 when Amir went t to Iran to visit his grandmother, Amir is of Iranian parentage, he was snatched by the Islamist fascists and accused of being a spy.

On the charges of “cooperation with the enemy, membership in the American intelligence agency and trying to accuse Iran of terrorism” Amir was condemned to death by the Revolutionary Court.

Under international pressure, fascists’ “Supreme Court” reversed the death sentence and it is said a new trial has been ordered.

Amir’s predicament is not unique, what he has been accused of is an off-the-shelf stock accusation which has been used to execute countless Iranians.  And, there are now many in captivity with similar charges.

What America needs to do is to make a principled stand, making easing of any sanctions contingent upon not only the total cessation and handover of all nuclear material and equipment, but also, the release of all political and religious prisoners including hostages like Amir. 

Semper fi