US police arrest journalist working for Iran's Press TV
US police arrest journalist working for Iran's Press TV
American Marzieh Hashemi has been arrested in the US, the news channel said on Wednesday, as relatives share reports of her ill-treatment by authorities.
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US national Marzieh Hashemi has been taken into FBI custody [Twitter]
A journalist for Iran's English-language Press TV has been arrested after flying into the United States, the news channel said on Wednesday.
US national Marzieh Hashemi has been taken into FBI custody after she was detained by police upon arriving at St Louis Lambert International Airport on Sunday, Press TV said.
"The US officials have so far refused to provide any reasons for her apprehension either to her or her family," the broadcaster reported.
It added that Hashemi, a US-born Muslim convert who changed her name from Melanie Franklin, had been visiting "her ill brother and other family members".
The reason for her arrest remains unknown.
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Hashemi's relatives and friends shared reports online of her ill treatment while in detention.
They reported that the journalist was forced to remove her headscarf for a mug shot and prison authorities have denied her dietary requirements, offering her meals with pork -religiously forbidden for Muslims.
Further reports suggest that the journalist was unable to contact her relatives for 48 hours following her detention.
Hashemi's arrest comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the US.
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