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U.S. demands release of two Americans sentenced by Iran to ten years each in prison

Xinhua, October 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

The U.S. State Department on Tuesday demanded the "immediate release" of two U.S. citizens following reports saying the dual have been sentenced to ten years each in prison in Iran.

Earlier on Tuesday, Iranian state-run judicial news agency Mizan reported that Iranian-American businessman Siamak Namazi and his 80-year-old father Baquer Namazi have been convicted of "cooperating with the hostile American government" and sentenced to 10 years each in prison in the country.

In response, U.S. State Department said it was "deeply concerned" by reports of the sentencing.

"We call for immediate release of U.S. citizens" detained in Iran, U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Toner Mark twittered.

Siamak Namazi is thought to have been arrested in October 2015 and his father was detained in February this year, according to the local media reports, noting the sentences highlighted recent tensions between Iran and the United States. Endit