Sick US citizen forced to return to Tehran prison

An ailing Iranian-american dualnational held in Tehran was returned to prison yesterday after Iran’s government refused to agree to an extended medical release, his family and attorney said.

Iran’s judiciary had allowed 81-year-old Baquer Namazi to leave Evin prison for a few days following recent surgery to install a pacemaker, but his family had hoped it would be extended. Lawyer Jared Genser said Namazi had been assessed by Iran’s medical examiner, who recommended he be allowed a three-month respite and left open the possibility it could be extended even longer.