Amir Hekmati family speaks publicly

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The family of Amir Hekmati, the Michigan man being held as a prisoner in Iran, is speaking publicly for the first time.

On their website -- freeamir.org -- they've posted an emotional statement.

A former Marine, Hekmati was visiting relatives in Iran in August 2011 when he was arrested and accused of spying. The Flint native was tried and given the death penalty, but an Iranian judge overturned that decision. Hekmati is now awaiting a re-trial.

Born in Flagstaff, Arizona, Hekmati grew up in Flint. His father is a college professor and his mother is a tax professional. He has an older sister, a younger brother and a twin sister.

He's fluent in Farsi, Arabic and English and was planning on attending the University of Michigan to pursue an economics degree before he was detained in Iran.

During the four years he was a Marine, 2001-2005, he was a senior language and cultural advisor, and was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon and Good Conduct Medal.

On August 29, 2011, Iranian Intelligence Forces captured Hekmati and accused him of being a CIA spy. On December 18, Iranian State Television showed his purported confession, a claim denied by the US Government and the Hekmati family.

On January 9, 2012, he was sentenced to death by the Iranian Revolutionary Court, the first US citizen in 33 years to be given that sentence in Iran.

But on March 5, 2012, the Iranian Supreme Court overturned the death sentence and ordered a new trial, but a new date has not yet been set.