A 71-year-old American Jewish jeweler from New York was released at the end of the week from Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison after spending roughly four years behind bars, according to Iranian radio reports. Despite being released before completing his sentence, Iranian media reported that he remains barred from leaving Iran and returning to his home in the United States.
The detainee was born in Iran and detained by Iranian security forces after traveling to the country to visit family. He was later prosecuted by the Islamic Republic’s judiciary over a visit to Israel more than a decade ago to participate in a religious ceremony. He was sentenced to four years in prison.
Throughout his incarceration, his family repeatedly expressed grave concern for his health. They said he was suffering from aggressive bladder cancer and had been denied adequate medical treatment while in prison.
No updated information has been released about his medical condition since his release. For now, he remains in Iran under a travel ban, with no clear indication of when he will be allowed to return to his family in the United States.