Lebanon calls on Iran to release national detained for 'spying'

Lebanon called on Iran to grant amnesty to a Lebanese citizen who is also a US resident imprisoned there for over three years.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab & agencies

05 May, 2019

In 2017, Zakka went on a hunger strike for over a month [Twitter]

Lebanon called on Iran to use the upcoming holy month of Ramadan to grant amnesty to a Lebanese citizen who is also a US resident imprisoned there for more than three years.

The appeal for the release of Nizar Zakka came Friday in a letter sent by Lebanon's Foreign Minister to his Iranian counterpart.

The letter was delivered to the Iranian ambassador to Lebanon.

Zakka, a US permanent resident, was an advocate for internet freedom and had carried out some work for the US government.

He has been imprisoned in Iran since his arrest in September 2015 while attending a state-sponsored conference.

He was sentenced to 10 years on espionage-related charges.

In 2017, Zakka went on a hunger strike for over a month calling for his release.

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