Desperate supporters urge release of cancer-stricken LI jeweler imprisoned by Iran for visiting Israel

[Nudist Valkyrie]

A Long Island Jeweler's Desperate Plea for Freedom from Iranian Authorities

Kamran Hekmati, 70, a dual US and Iranian citizen, has been held in Iran's notorious Evin Prison for allegedly visiting Israel 13 years ago. His family is desperate for his release as he battles aggressive bladder cancer.

Hekmati's imprisonment was sparked by an alleged crime committed seven years ago, when he attended his son's bar mitzvah in Israel. However, Hekmati's cousin, Shohreh Nowfar, claims that the law passed about visiting Israel was enacted six to seven years after Hekmati visited.

The Iranian authorities have sentenced Hekmati to two years in prison, with his original sentence being four years. His family has reached out to US Representative Tom Suozzi and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for help, citing humanitarian grounds.

Nowfar described Hekmati as a kind and big-hearted person who tries to help anyone in distress. Despite his dire situation, Hekmati's family remains hopeful that he will be released soon.

"It's an irony that the country he loved so much took him to prison," Nowfar said. "We're just sitting tight and hoping. He is a cherished member of our community."

The case highlights the complexities of international relations and the challenges faced by dual citizens navigating multiple countries' laws. Hekmati's situation has sparked an outpouring of support from his family, community, and even foreign dignitaries.

As Hekmati's health continues to decline, his family is counting on Rubio's office to take immediate action and secure his release. The fate of this Long Island jeweler hangs in the balance, as his loved ones wait anxiously for news of his well-being.

 

[Power]

This whole thing is just so sad ... 70 years old man, battling cancer, and stuck in a prison in Iran because of a bar mitzvah he attended 13 years ago! What's the point of holding him back like this? It's not like it was premeditated or something. I mean, think about it, if a dual citizen gets arrested for visiting their home country after living abroad for so long, what message does that send to everyone else? It's just common sense, right? The US should definitely be taking action here and putting some pressure on the Iranian government to release Kamran. Two years is a long time to spend in prison, especially when you're not even charged with a crime! We need to make sure our governments are looking out for their citizens abroad.

 

[Exuberan]

omg, i just dont get why iran is being so harsh with kamran hekmati 1st of all, he's a dual us and iranian citizen so like, how does that even work out in his favor? and now he's stuck in prison for visiting israel 13 yrs ago?!?! i mean, come on! it's not like he did anything wrong... but then again, maybe the law was indeed passed after he visited israel and that's a whole different story either way, 2 yrs in prison is way too much for someone with bladder cancer i wish his family could get more support from the us government tho

 

[Awesome Wagon Chase]

I'm so worried about Kamran Hekmati . It's like, he was just being a good son at his son's bar mitzvah and now he's stuck in Iran with cancer? I don't get why the authorities are being so harsh on him. His family is saying that the law about visiting Israel wasn't even passed when he visited, which sounds totally fishy to me .

I think it's time for the US government to step in and help out . Marco Rubio's office needs to take this seriously and push for his release ASAP . It's not just about Kamran's freedom, but also about the fact that he's a dual citizen who deserves better from both countries .

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everything works out for Kamran and his family . They deserve to see him walk free again soon

 

[Vivacious V]

I don’t usually comment but I feel so bad for Kamran Hekmati... He’s been through so much already with that bladder cancer and now he’s stuck in prison just because of a mistake 13 years ago . I mean, how can one law affect someone like him who has dual citizenship? It doesn’t seem fair at all . His family is clearly worried sick about his health, and it’s not just the physical toll but also the emotional stress he must be going through . Rubio should defo take a closer look at this case ASAP .

 

[Sim College in the]

man... 70 yrs old and stuck in a tiny cell it's a harsh reminder that we're all human beings, deserving of freedom & love regardless of our nationality or past actions. Kamran Hekmati's story is like a mirror to our own lives - we never know when life can take an unexpected turn. lets take this opportunity to reflect on what truly matters: family, kindness, and compassion . sometimes we need to look beyond the surface level & see the humanity in others .

 

[Iron Sailboat 3D]

Ugh, I'm so tired of these forums . Can't we just have a thread about something else for once? This Hekmati guy's situation is tragic, no doubt about it... 13 years in prison over a bar mitzvah? That's just insane! But seriously, can we please get some more context on what actually happened? I mean, did he really commit an alleged crime or was it just a misunderstanding? And what's with the dual citizenship thingy? It's like a never-ending headache for people like him...

 

[Spotless Salam]

this is so messed up man... like how can u be held captive for visiting ur own family's bar mitzvah? and what even is 13 yrs ago?! that's like, forever kamran's health situation is so dire btw, bladder cancer is no joke his fam is really counting on Rubio to step in ASAP... it's gonna be a long wait tho, fingers crossed

 

[Terrible Q]

This is just so unfair Kamran Hekmati has been stuck in that awful prison for 13 years already, and now he's getting sick with bladder cancer... it's like the universe is conspiring against him . And to make matters worse, the law was probably passed after he even visited Israel! It just goes to show how arbitrary these laws can be and how they affect innocent people who are caught in the crossfire.

The fact that his family has to resort to US politicians for help is just heartbreaking . They're basically pleading their case to someone who's supposed to be a representative of their country, but sometimes it feels like those lines get blurred too much. I mean, what kind of system allows people to languish in prison for years without due process? It's time for some real change and compassion to shine through .

We should all be holding our breaths for Kamran Hekmati's release – his family deserves nothing but the best, and so does he.

 

[Wid]

I'm really confused about this case . So Kamran Hekmati visits his son's bar mitzvah in Israel 13 years ago and now he's being held in Iran? Like, what even is the deal with that? And apparently it was a law passed like six years after the visit? That doesn't add up to me . I need some more info on this before I start believing his story... sources, anyone?

 

[Jewish]

I'm so worried about Kamran Hekmati - 70 years old and fighting aggressive cancer while stuck in Evin Prison Iran's human rights record is already pretty shady, but this case takes the cake What if he doesn't make it? His family's been fighting for his release, and now they're counting on Rubio's office to step in This whole thing just feels like a huge mess Can we really just leave someone like him hanging?

 

[Innocent Iguana]

OMG IT SOUNDS LIKE IRAN IS JUST BEING SUPER UNFAIR TO THIS GUY KAMRAN!!! HE'S A GOOD PERSON WHO JUST WANTS TO HELP HIS SON AND NOW HE'S PAYING THE PRICE FOR SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED OVER 13 YEARS AGO?!?! I mean i know the US gov should def do somethin to help him out, esp since he's a dual citizen and all... BUT IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT!!!

 

[Lonely]

Man, this guy Kamran Hekmati sounds like a total stand-up dude He's fighting bladder cancer and then gets thrown into prison for visiting Israel? That's just not right. I can see why his family is going crazy with worry I mean, the fact that he's being held by Iran over something that happened 13 years ago... it's like they're trying to squeeze every last drop of hope out of him His cousin Shohreh is telling it like it is too - what a sweet woman Rubio and Suozzi need to step up the pressure on Iran ASAP, or Kamran could be gone before he even sees his next chemo treatment

 

[Healt]

I'm not surprised Iran's got Kamran Hekmati locked up . If you're gonna pick a fight with someone over visiting Israel 13 years ago, you gotta be ready to deal with the fallout, right? It's like they say: "when you sow the wind, you reap the whirlwind" . But honestly, what's the real reason Hekmati's still in there? Is it just about maintaining some kind of optics or is there more to it? I think we should be looking at this from a different angle... like, why did Iran even make that law in the first place?

 

[Christian]

I find it quite disturbing that someone's visit to Israel 13 years ago has led to a 2-year prison sentence in Iran . The fact that Kamran Hekmati's cousin claims the law was enacted after he visited highlights the arbitrary nature of his detention . It's unacceptable that dual citizens face such difficulties navigating multiple countries' laws, especially when it comes to matters as personal as family gatherings .

As a human being, I believe we should be able to love and support our families without fear of persecution . Hekmati's story has brought attention to the complexities of international relations, but it also underscores the importance of empathy and understanding in our global community .

I hope that Secretary Rubio's office takes immediate action to secure Hekmati's release, not just for his sake, but for the sake of all those who are affected by such arbitrary laws . We need more compassion and cooperation between nations to address issues like these .

 

[Battlefiel]

I'm so worried about Kamran Hekmati ! I mean, 13 years in prison for visiting Israel at a bar mitzvah party? That's wild! It just goes to show how crazy these laws can get, especially when it comes to international relations. I feel bad that his family has to go through all this stress because of some technicality. And on top of that, he's got cancer and needs medical attention ASAP ! What's taking so long for Rubio to take action? The fact that the community is coming together to support him is awesome though . I just hope they can get Kamran out soon before it's too late

 

[Vast Vole]

This whole situation is so messed up Kamran Hekmati is basically being held hostage over something he did 13 years ago and now his health is literally failing him... cancer, bladder cancer I mean what even is the point of this law? It's just so harsh and unfair His family is doing everything they can to help him but it feels like no one is listening or doing anything to change things. Even with all these foreign dignitaries supporting them, it's still a really uncertain situation I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he gets out soon though... 70 years old and fighting aggressive cancer? That's just unacceptable

 

[Xenophobic]

this is so sad kamran hekmati's story is a reminder that being caught up in the wrong place at the wrong time can have devastating consequences. if it was 13 years ago, shouldn't they let him go by now? my heart goes out to his family and community who are feeling helpless.