News Max, May 9, 2016 – A former U.S. Marine has filed a lawsuit against Iran after he claims to have been tortured while in custody for more than four years in the Middle Eastern country.
Iranian-American Amir Hekmati of Michigan and three other Americans were released earlier this year as part of a prisoner swap.
Hekmati was charged with espionage after he was captured during a 2011 visit to see his grandmother in Iran. According to Politico, he is now suing Iran for damages stemming from how he was treated during his captivity.
“Iran’s despicable behavior was outside the scope of immunity provided by the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) and therefore subjects Iran to suit in the United States,” reads a press release about the lawsuit, reports Politico.
Hekmati was allegedly beaten, deprived of sleep, drugged, and subjected to psychological abuse.
Hekmati was an infantry rifleman and a translator in the Marine Corps from 2001-2005. He served in Iraq, reports Politico.
