In Iran, a US veteran has been sentenced to ten years in prison. Two years in prison for insulting Iranian spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have been imposed on 46-year-old Michael White, his lawyer Mark Zaid said yesterday in Washington. In addition, White was sentenced to ten years in prison for publishing a private photo on the Internet.
The two sentences are apparently being served in parallel. White was arrested in Mashhad City, northeastern Iran, in July, when he visited his girlfriend, whom he had reportedly met on the Internet. White’s family said he had traveled to Iran with a valid visa to meet a woman he fell in love with.
First arrest of US citizens since Trump took office
Zaid criticized that White had not been allowed to communicate directly with his family. He was also „very worried“ about White’s health because of his pre-existing conditions. At the moment he seems to be in good condition.
White is the first US citizen since President Donald Trump came to power two years ago, who was arrested in Iran. Three more US citizens are in custody in the Islamic Republic for espionage and sedition. A fourth US citizen has been missing since 2007 in Iran.
