Published March 16, 2017
A Washington-based lawyer for a U.S. permanent resident imprisoned in Iran has described him as a "hostage."
Jason Poblete said in a statement on Thursday that Iranian allegations that Nizar Zakka confessed to authorities are "completely false."
A semi-official Iranian news agency on Wednesday published remarks from a Revolutionary Guard commander saying Zakka confessed to trying to "encourage decadence" in Iranian society.
Poblete demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Zakka, a Lebanese computer expert whose organization previously did contract work for the U.S. government , and all other Westerners held by Iran.
Zakka was detained in September 2015 after speaking at a conference attended by President Hassan Rouhani at the Iranian government's invitation.
Zakka is serving a 10-year prison sentence and faces a $4.2 million fine after a closed-door trial.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/lawyer-for-us-resident-held-in-iran-calls-him-a-hostage