Officials say the decision to prepare sanctions against Russia and Iran began long before Gershkovich was detained by Russia, but added that his case added to the “operating pattern” that justifies sanctions. government fines.
In addition to Mr. Gershkovich, Russia is also holding other Americans, including Paul Whelan, a former US Marine who has been detained in Russia since 2018 over what the US government says are fabricated espionage allegations. Russia is also holding Marc Fogel, an American who was sentenced to 14 years in prison for possessing small amounts of medical marijuana.
Brittney Griner, an American basketball star detained on similar drug charges; was released late last year after nearly 10 months in prison in a prisoner swap for Viktor Bout, an arms dealer. Convicted Russian known as “The Merchant of Death”.
In October, Iran briefly released Siamak Namazi, a 51-year-old Iranian-American businessman who had been jailed since 2015, temporarily fired and lifted a travel ban on his father, Baquer Namazi, 85, a former State Department official. United Nations.
But Mr. Namazi has returned to an Iranian prison, and earlier this year continued hunger strike all week to protest his detention. At the time, Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, said that “Iran’s use of false detention as political leverage is outrageous.”
Iran is also holding Emad Shargi and Morad Tahbaz. Mr. Tahbaz, 67, a businessman and conservationist, has been detained since 2018. Sharghi, also a businessman, was arrested in January. Both are being held by the Iranian government on charges of espionage and threats to national security.
In January, Jean-Pierre said that the Biden administration “is continuing to work to bring him home, along with US citizens who are wrongfully detained in Iran, including Emad Shargi and Morad Tahbaz. “
