The Free Amir Hekmati Now Fund

Amir Hekmati, decorated Marine veteran, traveled to Iran in 2011 to visit his ailing grandmother. Just days before he was to return home, Iranian intelligence agents arrested Amir. He was taken to Evin prison, where he has languished behind its walls since. Tortured and forced to making a false confession which aired on Iranian state television before his trial even began, Amir was sentenced to death in January of 2012 on the charges of Espionage, Corrupting the Earth, and Waging War Against God. It was the first time an American had been charged to death in Iran in 33 years. In March of 2012, his death sentence was overturned by a higher court, citing insufficient evidence, and a new trial was ordered.This trial took place over a year later, behind closed doors, without the knowledge of Amir or his attorney. In this secret trial where Amir was not able to present a defense, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for cooperating with a hostile country, presumably because of his service in the United States military.

During his imprisonment, Amir has endured abuse, mistreatment and torture, including having his feet whipped with cables, having TASERS used on his kidneys, being forced to witness the torture of other prisoners, and being held in isolation.

Amir was born in Arizona and grew up in Michigan. He joined the Marines in 2001 because he wanted to serve the country that he loves. Amir served as an infantry rifleman while enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served honorably during Operation Iraqi Freedom, participating in many combat missions. He has been awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, GWOT Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon. He also trained at the Defense Language Institute in California. After his service ended in 2005, Amir went on to serve and support the United States military as a contractor, specializing in cultural and language programs.

While Amir has been imprisoned, his father, Ali Hekmati, has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. As a result of his treatment, he has suffered many strokes, leaving him unable to continue his job as a Microbiology professor and needing 24 hour care. Ali wants nothing more than to hold his son in his arms again and fears that he will lose his battle to cancer before Amir is released and returned to their home in Michigan.

Proceeds from the Free Amir Hekmati Now Fund will go to support the family's ongoing campaign to bring Amir home.  Additionally, some funds may be used to help offset medical costs of Ali Hekmati, Amir's father, who is battling brain cancer and is no longer able to work due to damage left from several strokes.