Iran Press/Iran news: Iran asked the envoy for the immediate release of Marziyeh Hashemi, an American-born employee of Press TV, said Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghassemi.
"In the meeting (with the Swiss ambassador), we expressed our concerns about the FBI's treatment of Mrs. Hashemi, and the questionable silence of the American officials about this case, which is against the US international commitments and a breach of human rights," Ghassemi said according to Iran Press.
The Swiss embassy represents the US interests in Tehran, where Washington has had no mission since 1980.
Hashemi, 59, was arrested on Jan. 13 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation at St. Louis Lambert International Airport while she was in the US to visit her ill brother and other family members.
She was transferred to a detention facility of FBI in Washington DC, where she was forced to remove her hijab and only offered food not permissible under her Islamic values.
After days of silence, the US government confirmed on January 18 that it was holding Hashemi in jail as a 'material witness' and that she would be released after she testified before a grand jury.
Hashemi's illegal detention has led to reactions from outstanding political figures and bodies all around the world
The FBI has not commented on the case.
According to Press TV, Hashemi was born Melanie Franklin in the United States and changed her name after converting to Islam. She had been living in Iran for more than a decade.
Press TV said Hashemi will appear before a grand jury on Wednesday. 208/103
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