The family of imprisoned former Marine Amir Hekmati has released a statement about his health:
Hekmati has been imprisoned in an Iranian prison for over four years. The Iranian government claims that Hekmati was there as a spy.
Hekmati's family says he was there to visit relatives.
The family says on Twitter and Facebook that Hekmati is fighting a respiratory illness with symptoms similar to tuberculosis.
Hekmati's family says they have asked Iranian officials to test him for TB, but to date they have refused.
Most recently, Iranian officials said they would be open to a prisoner swap between Iran and The United States. Such a swap could include Amir Hekmati.
However, to this point, U.S. officials are declining this option.
Hekmati's father, Dr. Ali Hekmati, who taught at Flint's Mott Community College has terminal brain cancer. The family is hoping Hekmati can come home to see his father soon.
Link: http://nbc25news.com/news/local/flint-native-held-in-iran-is-in-poor-health-according-to-family