2023-04-27 23:11:35
28/4/2023–|Last updated: 4/28/202302:19 AM (Makkah)
Yesterday, the United States imposed new sanctions on the Russian Federal Security Service “FSB” (FSB) and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, in light of what it said was the “unjust detention of many Americans.”
“Our actions are a clear and direct warning to those around the world who unjustly detain US citizens,” US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a statement.
“We would also like to make it clear that no one can engage in this kind of egregious behavior of exploiting human beings as a bargaining chip without suffering the consequences of their action,” Blinken added.
While the US State and Treasury ministries had previously imposed sanctions on both parties, the official stressed that the new measures reflect the US position on what it considers an increasing pattern of foreign governments detaining foreign citizens in order to extract political gains.
The announcement of the new sanctions comes a month after Russia arrested Ivan Gershkovich, a journalist for The Wall Street Journal, whom Russia accuses of espionage. On behalf of the US government, accusations denied by Gershkovitch, the newspaper and Washington.
Washington is seeking to secure the release of Gershkovich and his compatriot Paul Whelan, a former Marine who was convicted of espionage after his arrest in 2018.
The US government stressed that the new sanctions package was already in place before Gershkovich’s arrest.
Last year, Moscow and Washington conducted two prisoner exchanges, and in December Russia handed over a player American basketball player Brittney Grainer, who is accused of drug trafficking, has received arms dealer Victor Bout, who was arrested in the United States.
In April, Washington received Trevor Reed, a former Marine, who was sentenced to 9 years in prison for violent acts, to meet with Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko.
In addition to the Russian security apparatus, the new sanctions affected 4 senior officers in the intelligence of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard They are Muhammad Kazemi, Ruhollah Bazgandi, Muhammad Mahdi Al-Sayyari, and Muhammad Hassan Mahaghi.
“Today’s action targets senior officials and intelligence agencies in Iran and Russia responsible for the hostage-taking or illegal detention of US citizens abroad,” Treasury Assistant Secretary Brian Nelson said in a statement.
Iran is holding at least 3 American citizens, and among the most famous detainees is dual-national businessman Siamak Namazi.
Namazi, 51, was detained with his father, Baquer Namazi, in 2015, and was sentenced at that time to 10 years in prison for espionage.
Baqer was released in 2022 under an agreement with Washington, but his son remains in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison.
The Treasury said in a statement that the sanctions against Iranian officials also came against the background of the Revolutionary Guards continuing to “detain and interrogate people in the notorious Evin prison, in addition to its direct role in suppressing protests and arresting opponents, including dual nationals.”
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