Iranian authorities allege that Amir Mirzaei Hekmati entered the country to infiltrate its intelligence system so as to accuse Iran of involvement in terrorist activities, in keeping with the semi-official Fars news agency.
Hekmati's mother, Behnaz, said during a statement Wednesday.
"We also are disturbed by the video and reports coming back from the Iranian court that describe Amir admitting to being a spy. it's clear to me and our entire family that Amir is speaking underneath duress."
We are deeply involved for the fate and well-being of Amir
The us additionally has referred to as the accusations false.
According to Fars, Hekmati told a decide Tuesday that he worked for the CIA which he was to induce bought delivering data to Iran's intelligence ministry.
He additionally told the decide he felt he had been duped which he had planned on not returning to the us, Fars reported.
Hekmati's mother referred to as the reported admission "totally false."
"It is a sign that he's not speaking freely however being forced to mention one thing that may not true," she said. "Amir has several money and business investments within the U.S. and would never walk aloof from them."
American accused of spying in Iran
Hekmati, a former U.S. Marine, was arrested in August whereas visiting his grandmother and different relatives, his family in Michigan said last week.
Up till Wednesday, they'd remained quiet concerning the arrest at the urging of Iranian officers, who promised his unleash, they said.
"In this atmosphere Amir may be a victim," his mother said. "We are convinced that there's a slip or misunderstanding. we tend to pray and hope he are allowed to return home soon."
The Hekmatis said their son served within the Marines from 2001 to 2005. Later, he started his own linguistics company and contracted his services to the military also as civilian businesses.
His military contracts included cultural competency coaching. He worked with troops at military bases to market understanding of, and positive communication, with individuals of different cultures, his family said.
Fars reported that Hekmati said he worked for the U.S. Army for four years and later the CIA, where he was sent to Afghanistan and had access to secret documents.
Hekmati was alleged to provide his data to the Iranians in 2 components -- the primary half without charge, and if they liked it he would raise for $500,000 for the second half, in keeping with Fars.
Hekmati said he was to induce a receipt from the intelligence ministry for the cash, Fars reported. The decide speculated whether or not the receipt would later be used as proof linking Iran to terrorist activities, Fars reported.
If Iran had paid, Hekmati told the decide, he would have kept the cash and lived in Iran, in keeping with Fars.
Hekmati's attorney told the decide his consumer had been tricked by "Satan" -- relating the us -- and argued that intent to commit against the law is not against the law in itself.
