'It's the end of a nightmare.' White Plains grad heads back to US after 8-year imprisonment in Iran
Hushang Namazi said his nephew, who once lived in Westchester and graduated from White Plains High School, was wrongfully detained in Iran after getting arrested there back in 2015 on spying charges.
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Hushang Namazi said he and his family have spent the last eight years worrying about his nephew, Siamak Namazi - one of five Americans prisoners freed from Iran on Monday.
"Obviously, it's been hell," he said.
Hushang Namazi said his nephew, who once lived in Westchester and graduated from White Plains High School, was wrongfully detained in Iran after getting arrested there back in 2015 on spying charges.
"He was a businessman. He went to Iran and he was promoting Iran to the world. And for no rhyme or reason, he was arrested," Hushang Namazi said. "He wasn't even told what his charges were."
Siamak was sentenced to 10 years in prison, but he ultimately served eight of those years.
"Siamak was the longest-lasting American hostage held in Iran," Namazi said. "No other American has been held in Iran for that long."
Namazi says his nephew faced routine torture and interrogation while he was incarcerated. He said his release was a huge relief for him and his family.
"It's the end of a nightmare for the entire family," Namazi said.
To get back to the United States, Siamak flew from Iran to Qatar. He then boarded another flight to Washington D.C. with his mother, Effie. He is expected to land around midnight.
Namazi also expected that his nephew would go through intensive health monitoring when he arrives.
