On his 1000th day of imprisonment, Sens. Stabenow, Levin, Rep. Kildee call for Amir Hekmati's Release

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin and Congressman Dan Kildee today marked the 1,000th day of captivity in Iran for Michigan resident Amir Hekmati by again calling for his release.

"I met with Amir Hekmati's family last week, and I stand with them to demand that Iran free Amir immediately," Stabenow said. "It's absolutely unacceptable that he has been held illegally in Iran for one day, let alone for 1,000 days. My thoughts and prayers are with the family for a quick end to this outrage so Amir can be back with his family and his ailing father."

"It has now been 1,000 days since Amir Hekmati was free to see his family, 1,000 days he has been unable to enjoy the freedom that is the birthright of every American citizen," Levin said. "Calls for his freedom have come from people across Michigan and the nation and around the world; from humanitarian, human rights and religious organizations; from the halls of Congress; and from President Obama. Amir's imprisonment is unjust, and though injustice may last for one day or 1,000, history teaches us that ultimately, justice is too powerful to deny. We again call upon President Rouhani and the Iranian government to make a powerful statement about their desire to rejoin the community of responsible nations, to end this injustice, and release Amir on humanitarian grounds."

"We have not forgotten - nor will we ever forget - Amir Hekmati, and we won't stop advocating for his release until he returns home," Kildee said. "Amir fought for our freedoms as a Marine and we must honor his service and sacrifice by fighting for him now. Not a day goes by that I don't raise Amir's case with my colleagues in Congress, many of whom have joined me in calling on Iran to do the right thing and release Amir. Amir is innocent, has been imprisoned for too long, and needs to be released so he can return to his family in Michigan."