Siamak Namazi, an Iranian-American citizen, was detained in Iran in 2015 and imprisoned for 8 years until his release in 2023 in a prisoner exchange deal between the US and Iran.
He speaks to CNN’s Christiane Amanpour in his first interview since being released. He describes the brutal conditions he endured in Iran’s Evin prison, including prolonged solitary confinement, physical abuse, and humiliation.
Out of desperation, he did an unprecedented interview with Amanpour from inside Evin prison in 2023, despite risks of further abuse. He wanted to raise awareness and push the US to secure his release.
In September 2023, he was finally exchanged along with 4 other detainees as part of a deal that also saw Iran gain access to $6 billion in frozen assets. However, this deal faced criticism from some US Senators and former president Trump.
Namazi expresses gratitude to President Biden for securing his freedom but feels more could have been done by the US to support and debrief him upon his return. He advocates for reforms to deter hostage taking in the future.
One year on, Namazi is rebuilding his life but still struggling with trauma from his ordeal and torture in the notorious Evin prison in Iran for nearly a decade.
Source: CNN
