American anchorwoman for Iranian state TV detained in US, broadcaster says

An American anchorwoman for Press TV, Iranian state television’s English-language service, was detained by the FBI during a visit in the U.S., the broadcaster reported on Wednesday. 

Press TV reported that Marzieh Hashemi was arrested at St. Louis Lambert International Airport on Sunday, according to The Associated Press. 

{mosads}St. Louis’ FBI spokeswoman referred the AP to FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C., which has not responded to the AP’s requests for comment.

Hashemi is from New Orleans and says she studied journalism at Louisiana State University. She has been a broadcaster for Press TV for 25 years.

Her brother, Milton Leroy Franklin, told the AP that he believes Hashemi has been in custody since Sunday.

“We don’t have any detailed information except she’s being held,” Franklin told the news service.

Press TV reported that Hashei’s son was arrested with her.

“And her son is being held in a hotel in [Washington] and she’s being held in some form of prison or incarcerated area,” Franklin added. “I’m very concerned. There’s no way of getting any word to her and she can’t send any out, apparently. We’re all in the dark and just waiting and praying that they release her.”

Hashemi was reportedly coming to the U.S. for a family reunion. 

She splits her time between Iran and Colorado, her brother told the AP.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi told Iranian state television that Hashemi’s arrest is reflective of the Trump administration’s “apartheid and racist policy.” 

“We hope that the innocent person will be released without any condition,” Ghasemi said.

The AP could not find references to Hashemi in cases with U.S. federal courts or in Missouri. It is unclear what she might have been detained over.