US frees reverted Muslim Journalist Marzieh Hashemi without charge

Tehran: The reverted Muslim journalist Marzieh Hashemi who was working for Iran’s English-language television station Press TV has been released by the United States after 10 days in detention. She was arrested on arrival at St Louis Lambert International Airport on January 13 when she had reportedly been visiting her ill brother and other family members. News18 with reference to Press TV reported her release late on Wednesday.

US-born Marzieh Hashemi reverted to Islam and changed her name from Melanie Franklin. Hashemi reported on the subject of discrimination against women, Muslims, and African-Americans in the United States.

The report published on Press TV website stated, “The US government has released without charge Press TV anchor Marzieh Hashemi after 10 days of illegal detention.”

In an audio message released by the site, Hashemi confirmed her release and thanked her family and friends for their support.

American-born journalist Marzieh Hashemi was arrested in the United States while working for Iran’s English-language state television. Iran had called for her immediate release, accusing Washington of mistreating her in jail as a Black Muslim woman. Reuters with reference to Press TV had reported that Marzieh had been prevented from wearing a hijab in prison and was only offered pork as a meal, which is prohibited in Islam. Iran had condemned the illegal arrest of Marzieh Hashemi and the inhuman treatment of her in jail in Washington.

Hashemi’s husband was said to be Iranian so she had been granted Iranian citizenship.

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