An American detained by Iran for over 600 days on spurious charges has been hospitalized with symptoms consistent with the novel coronavirus, according to his family's spokesperson.
His family has spent weeks expressing concern about his health, saying his immune system is compromised by cancer and urging Iranian authorities to return him to the U.S. One week ago, he was granted a medical furlough and released to the custody of the Swiss government, which has looked after U.S. interests and citizens in Iran since the U.S. embassy was shuttered in 1979.
"His situation is urgent," family spokesperson Jonathan Franks said in a statement Wednesday night."It is in everyone's interest during this health crisis to facilitate Michael's immediate medical evacuation." As a condition of White's medical furlough, he is not allowed to leave the country, but his family is concerned that the Iranian health care system, already weak and even further strained by the virus, is dangerously insufficient.White has been experiencing fever, fatigue, cough, and shortness of breath and was hospitalized Wednesday in a crowded ward specifically for COVID-19 patients, according to Franks.
Iran has been overwhelmed by its coronavirus outbreak, which has mushroomed through its prison system as well. Iranian authorities have released more than 85,000 prisoners on temporary leave to stem that spread, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei saying last week the state will pardon 10,000 more.
Norge Siste Nytt, Norge Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også lese nyheter som ligner på denne som vi har samlet inn fra andre nyhetskilder.
Family of American Robert Levinson who disappeared in Iran say they believe he is deadRobert Levinson, a former FBI agent who disappeared more than a decade ago, died while in Iranian custody, his family says
Les mer »
Former FBI agent Levinson believed to have died in Iran custody, family saysThe family of Robert Levinson, the former FBI agent who disappeared in 2007 after traveling to an island controlled by Iran, says it now believes he died in Iranian custody, based on information from U.S. officials
Les mer »
Family: U.S. believes ex-FBI agent Levinson has died in IranThe U.S. government has concluded that retired FBI agent Robert Levinson, who vanished more than a decade ago, has died while in the custody of Iran, his family said Wednesday
Les mer »
Iran warns of second wave of coronavirusIran may face a second wave of the coronavirus outbreak, government spokesman Al...
Les mer »
Iran has limited scope for coronavirus economic stimulusShut out of international capital markets and facing a further hit to its financ...
Les mer »