DETROIT — Amir Hekmati, 29, a former Dearborn and West Bloomfield resident, has been imprisoned in Iran since August 2011 for suspicions of being a CIA spy. Now in an effort from local organizations and Hekmati’s family, an art exhibit opened last week in Detroit in his honor, hoping to raise awareness of his dire situation.

His older sister Sarah Hekmati says it’s been nearly impossible for her family to communicate with her brother or get the Iranian government to cooperate with his case. She says her brother had originally planned his first trip to Iran in the summer of 2011, hoping to spend the month of Ramadan with his relatives, which included his grandmother. After two weeks in the country, Amir was jailed by Iranian authorities without warning. 

Hekmati has been imprisoned in Iran since August 2011

The family had not heard from him for over a month and a half, and believed he might have been abducted. Amir was finally able to make a phone call to a relative in Iran to relay the message that he was imprisoned at their Evin Prison, believed to be one of the worst prisons in the country, for suspicions of being in the CIA. Authorities also questioned his previous history as a U.S. Marine despite not being an active duty solder. 

Amir’s family believes authorities in Iran should’ve never had any suspicions of him being a CIA spy. He had planned to attend school at the University of Michigan, enrolling for classes for the fall of 2011 before his trip to Iran.

Since his arrest, Amir’s family in both the U.S. and Iran have tried to communicate with Iranian officials, but the entire processs has been difficult due to the strained relationships between the U.S and Iran. The Iranian government considers Amir to be Iranian because both of his parents were born in the country, despite his U.S. citizenship. The family has had to go through third party liaisons, including the UN-Iran Ambassador who was able to arrange a visit for Amir and his mother. 

“It has been really devastating for us. He’s the uncle of my kids and it’s been really hard, especially for my other sister who is his twin. There is no embassy we can contact, no ambassador, everything has been through a liaison,” Sarah Hekmati stated.

Sarah says she has only had one opportunity to talk to Amir, when he was allowed to speak on the phone for 10 minutes one time since his arrest. He is barely allowed any contact with relatives there, and officials have not allowed the family to send him letters either. 

Things took a turn for the worse in January of 2012, when Amir was given a death sentence by Iranian officials. In March, that sentencing was overturned by the Secretary General who cited lack of evidence. Since then, Amir has been waiting for a re-trial in what is believed to be an isolated prison cell. No other forms of progress have been made since that decision.

In September 2012, Amir’s father was diagnosed with brain cancer and the family has opted out of informing Amir because they believe he is already under too much trauma.

Hekmat’s niece.

“Since March he has been sitting in a prison cell with no access to a lawyer and no idea that he is facing a re-trial. Time is not on our side. The doctors said with treatment they don’t know how long our dad’s health will last. We don’t want Amir to be traumatized even more by being in a situation where he is unsure of his fathers health and unable to do anything about it,” Sarah Hekmati added.  

Last week an art exhibit in Detroit opened up with the help of Sarah’s friend Manal Khadri, a local artist, whose art is being displayed on behalf of Amir. The exhibit is being presented by 555 Non-Profit Gallery and Studios and will provide insight into Amir’s wrongful imprisonment, being brought to life through photography, 3D art, political cartoons, paintings, and musical performance. 

The exhibit is located inside of the old 3rd precinct police building, which includes 21 jail cells. The cells are incorporated into the art exhibit, demonstrating the severity of Amir’s isolation in prison. The Executive Director of 555 Non-Profit Gallery and Studios, Carl W. Goines says he hopes through hosting the art exhibit, more attention is brought towards Amir’s situation.

 “I had heard of his story on Michigan Radio so I was familiar with it but didn’t know all the details until I got into close contact with his family for this exhibit. It’s very painful to have someone that close to you and not be able to have any contact with them. I can’t imagine what they are going through. Hosting the show allows us to build a community and bring attention to this situation and help relief some of that frustration the family has in whatever way they can,” Goines stated.

Sarah says despite the struggle, the family can do nothing but remain hopeful that one day they will be reunited again with Amir.

“We want to remain hopeful that there is going to be an opportunity to open a line of communications in Iran. There are officials in the government that want to help us, but there is such a conflict internally that it makes it so difficult. I hope the officials there can consider my fathers situation and allow the basic due processs rights allowed for prisoners such as phone calls and letters.  We hope we can bring him home so he can be here while his dad is sick,” Sarah added. 

The exhibit, titled “Jailed Humanity” opened on November 17th and will run through December 2nd. Doors are open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-4 p.m. and Fridays from 12-6p.m. at   2801 West Vernor Highway  in Detroit. The exhibit is free of charge, but any donations that would like to be made will go towards  the Amir Hekmati Freedom Fund. Fore more information on Amir Hekmati’s story, you can visit www.freeamir.org or to contact 555 Gallery and Studios at info@555arts.org.