Marzieh Hashemi, a journalist and news anchor working for Iran’s English-language Press TV television channel, has been jailed in the US for unspecified reasons.

Iran Press/Iran news: Press TV has learnt that Marzieh Hashemi is being held at a detention facility in Washington DC although no formal charges have been brought against her up to now.

The New Orleans-born journalist and television presenter, who had been travelling within the United States to visit her sick brother and other relatives, was detained at St. Louis Lambert International Airport on Sunday, and later transferred by the FBI to a detention facility in Washington DC, Iran Press has learnt.

Relatives had been unable to contact her for over 48 hours, and only recently learnt about her detention.

Reports suggest prison guards have attached chains to Marzieh Hashemi, and are treating her badly. Also prison guards took Hashemi's hejab off her head and took several photographs. Also she has been given only short-sleeved T-Shirts to wear, so she has covered her head with another T-Shirt.

Prison officials have also denied her access to halal or vegetarian dietary options and she has been living on only bread and crackers for several days now.

The Press TV anchor's prison meal consisted of pork chops which she refused to eat, and reports suggest she has been transferred to a notorious wing of the prison.

Even though there are no charges against her, Hashemi informed family members of mistreatment at the detention center.

Most importantly Marzieh Hashemi is being treated as a criminal in the US penal system / prison system. 101/ 211 / 201