FLINT, Mich., Dec. 20 (UPI) -- The father of a dual U.S-Iranian citizen accused of spying for the United States says the Iranian government forced his son to lie, ABC News reported.
Iran's Press TV said Amir Mirzaei Hekmati, who is being held in Iran, has admitted being a CIA operative. A segment that aired Sunday night on Iranian television showed Hekmati allegedly confessing to spying for the United States.
His father, Ali Hekmati of Flint, Mich., said his son is being forced to lie, ABC News reported Tuesday.
"My son is no spy. He is innocent. He's a good fellow, a good citizen, a good man," Hekmati said in an interview. "These are all unfounded allegations and a bunch of lies."
Ali Hekmati, a college professor, said his son joined the U.S. Marines in 2001 and worked in linguistics as an Arabic translator. After the military, Amir Hekmati went to work for a private security contractor, Ali Hekmati said.
Ali Hekmati said he's had no direct contact with his son since he was arrested in September.
The U.S. State Department said it has been providing assistance to Hekmati's family, ABC News reported.
