English-language Press TV television news says its journalist and anchor Marzieh Hashemi was detained at the Airport in Missouri and sent to Washington DC, where she is currently being held in an FBI detention facility.
Press TV further reported that Hashemi’s family in a statement said she has been kept with no charges and no reason was given for her detention. They also said that her hijab “had been removed against her will” during custody, and that US officials denied her access to halal or vegan food for several days, leaving her with only pretzels and bread.
Iranian and US social media activists started a campaign to ask for her freedom using hashtags such as: #FreeMarziehHashemi, #PrayForMarziehHashemi, and #FreePresstvJournalist.
Hashimi was born as Melanie Franklin in New Orleans, Louisiana. She moved to Iran in 2008. She was on a trip to visit her ill brother and other relatives when she was detained.
Hashimi’s relatives reportedly lost contact with her for 48 hours and only recently learned that she was being held by the US authorities.